Utah Jazz center Rudy Robert shoots over Portland Trail Blazers forward Tony Snell during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Portland, Ore., Wednesday, Dec. 29, 2021. (AP Photo/Amanda Loman) PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Rudy Gobert had 22 points and 14 rebounds, and the Utah Jazz beat the Portland Trail Blazers 120-105 on Wednesday night with star Donovan Mitchell out with a sore back. Portland’s Damian Lillard and Norman Powell each scored 32 points. The Trail Blazers were missing seven players in the NBA’s COVID-19 health and safety protocols for the second straight game. Utah’s dominance started on the inside and continued all night long, outscoring Portland 74-30 in the paint. Jazz coach Quin Snyder praised the offensive improvement of Gobert, the three-time Defensive Player of the Year. “You can credit Rudy Gobert with this, he’s been stronger with the ball,” Snyder said of his star big man, who was 8 for 10 from the field. “He’s been strong with the catch and then worrying about scoring after the catch. He’s also getting to the line more.” Utah’s Hassan Whiteside had 15 points and 11 rebounds off the bench, while reserve forward Rudy Gay pitched in 21 points.