PORTLAND -- Nicolas Batum has earned his first start in the Portland Trail Blazers’ game against the Utah Jazz Wednesday night.

Batum had been initially projected to start as small forward in the Blazers’ opening game against the Los Angeles Lakers but coach Nate McMillan ultimately went with Travis Outlaw.

The young forward may just get a chance to prove himself on the road in Salt Lake City.

"If he can … just concentrate on defending, rebounding, going to both boards … don't worry so much about scoring … it'll give that first unit something that we don't have with that group,” McMillan said in a statement on the Blazers website.

The Blazers are looking for their first road win of the season. So far they’ve been giving up an average of 100-plus points per game.

They’ll have their work cut out. The Jazz have opened their season with three straight wins -- and with one of the NBA’s best point guards, Deron Williams, sidelined.

Portland has won five of its last seven meetings with the Jazz.

Wednesday night’s game tips off at 6 p.m.