Jazz 86, Trail Blazers 77: Al Jefferson led four players in double figures with 21 points and Utah held on to defeat visiting Portland in the first half of a home-and-home set.

Paul Millsap had 15 points, Randy Foye tallied 14 and DeMarre Carroll added 13 for the Jazz, who nearly lost a big second-half lead before closing out the Blazers for the fifth straight time.

Rookie Damian Lillard led all scorers with 26 points for Portland. His 3-pointer with 3:57 left capped a 12-2 run that cut Utah's advantage to 80-75.

Lillard missed a 3-point try on the next possession and the Blazers would not score again until there were 16 seconds left. By that point, Foye had hit two free throws and Jefferson had back-to-back baskets to put the game out of reach.

Carroll scored eight points during a 12-4 Jazz burst to begin the second quarter and the hosts led by as many as 17 just before halftime. They maintained that same advantage midway through the third before Portland began its comeback.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Utah PG Jamaal Tinsley did not attempt a shot in 16 minutes. ... The Jazz improved to 17-5 at home. ... LaMarcus Aldridge had 16 points and 10 rebounds for Portland. Derrick Favors grabbed 12 rebounds in 23 minutes off the bench for Utah, which visits the Rose Garden on Saturday.