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Gordon Hayward's eyes lit up and a quick smile crept across his slightly unshaven face when asked about Tuesday's preseason opener against the Portland Trail Blazers.

"We get a chance to finally go against someone other than yourself," Hayward said with a laugh.

Training camp can be difficult for anyone. Two practices a day are a drain. Injuries are nagging and seeing the same people each waking hour can, after awhile, get annoying.

Playing an actual game? It's like being a kid and getting let out for recess.

And, as Hayward noted, Tuesday will be a pretty big deal.

Quin Snyder makes his Jazz coaching debut against the Blazers, along with the new offensive and defensive looks he has been implmenting through the first week of camp. It also marks the rookie debuts of Dante Exum and Rodney Hood, and it will be Hayward's first game since signing his max contract and adding noticeable muscle in the offseason.

"Everyone's excited and ready to get going," Hayward said. "It's been a long offseason and it's the chance to finally get back in front of the fans and seeing if we can incorporate what coach wants us to do. We have a long way to go, but we're definitely better than we were when we started."

Here are a few things that Jazz fans can expect against the Trail Blazers, one of the top teams in the Western Conference. Utah's core five — Hayward, Trey Burke, Alec Burks, Derrick Favors and Enes Kanter — will likely start together. Utah will play a different brand of basketball than it has in the past, pushing the ball up the floor, shooting more 3-pointers and putting an emphasis on spacing.

After having one of the NBA's worst defenses last season, Snyder has made it an early priority in camp, especially defending in transition. And of course, the players will be using the opener to make a case for more minutes and responsibility.

"Players are certainly looking forward to playing under different conditions," Snyder said. "The fans are going to get a chance to see some of the habits that we've been trying to form during camp. Hopefully, more of our positive habits will show through than negative."

On Sunday — in the scrimmage portion of practice — Burke shined defensively, cleanly stripping Exum on one play, and coming up with a steal and a bucket on the fast break on another possession. Snyder has hinted that Burke will need to pick it up on the defensive end for the Jazz to have a chance to be successful this year. Tuesday will be an opportunity to showcase his improvement in a game setting.

"It's big for me because I'm facing Damian Lillard and he's one of the best point guards in the NBA," Burke said. "I had my problems last year defensively against some of the best point guards in the league. It's the first chance for me to prove that I've gotten better in that area."

It will be interesting to see what rotations Snyder will use. Who comes off the bench, and in what sequence? How much will Rudy Gobert — who had a breakout summer — factor into Snyder's plans? How much will Exum and Hood play? Which guys fighting for roster spots will distinguish themselves?

Obviously, Portland is more than a worthy opponent. The Blazers established themselves as a contender last season a run to the conference semifinals. Lillard and power forward LaMarcus Aldridge form one of the best duos in the league.

It's worth noting that former Jazz shooting guard Wesley Matthews had a bout with an irregular heartbeat last week. According to reports, the issue has been corrected and Matthews is hoping to play on Tuesday. —

Blazers at Jazz

P Tuesday, 7 p.m.

TV • ROOT Sports