Favors finally finds offense against Blazers

PORTLAND, Ore. — No one dared to say that Derrick Favors' inability to score was a real issue for the Jazz. But as the preseason dragged along, and the third-year power forward consistently failed to find any offensive rhythm, the question lingered.

Would this always persist in his game?

Before Monday's 120-114 loss to the Blazers in Portland, coach Tyrone Corbin said he was not concerned about Favors' offense.

"He'll score because of his athletic abilities," Corbin said. "We can go to him on quick moves on some. He should be able to run the floor and get some other easy baskets there. So it will be a combination of ways he will score points for us." While Favors' 12-point performance against the Blazers would hardly qualify as a "breakout" he did show signs of getting more comfortable offensively. In the fourth quarter, he drove baseline on Meyers Leonard for an up-and-under layup.

Favors entered the game averaging 6.6 points per game. He was 4-of-8 from the floor and 4-of-9 from the free throw line - the latter forever an area in which to improve. But Favors was just pleased to see shots go in the basket (it should be noted here, that his first attempts were unsuccessful, including a pair of missed dunks).

"Most of my shots been in and out, so to see some of them go in it felt pretty good," Favors said.

— Bill Oram