Some quotes from the Jazz's shoot-around on Friday morning at EnergySolutions Arena:

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The Wizards are 7-23 this season, but they have won two of their last three games, including a 124-109 victory at Portland just three nights ago. Jazz coach Tyrone Corbin said, "They are playing better. ... They are a confident group that is capable of scoring a lot of points. They are going to create an up-tempo. They are going to take chances on the defensive end and, if you relax against them, you're going to be in trouble."

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Corbin said his players are at least partially recovered from playing three games in three nights in three cities on Sunday, Monday an...

The Jazz's Gordon Hayward will play for Team Chuck in next week's Rising Stars Challenge in Orlando. The game will be played Friday, Feb. 24 as part of NBA All-Star Weekend.

The Rising Stars Challenge matches 20 of the top rookies and second-year players in the league. Jeremy Lin of the New York Knicks and Miami's Norris Cole were late additions to the talent pool as a result of Lin's sensational play and the public's fascination with him over the last 10 days.

Shaquille O'Neal and Barkley will be the coaches. They drafted the teams on Thursday night in a show aired on NBA-TV.

Team Shaq includes Blake Griffin (Clippers); Lin, Ricky Rubio (Timberwolves), Greg ...

The Jazz have lost two straight and fallen to 14-14 for the season heading into Friday night's game against Washington at EnergySolutions Arena.

After an uplifting win at Memphis on Sunday, the Jazz completed their only three-games-in-three-nights stretch by losing at New Orleans and Oklahoma City.

Before practice on Thursday, coach Tyrone Corbin ruled out a new starting line-up against the Wizards, although he is considering some alterations to his rotation.

"We're looking at a lot of different things -- what will give us the best chance," Corbin said. "Right now, we won't change the [starters]. We may change the rotations a little bit, time-wise."

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Are some of the Jazz's key recent problems fixable? Yes. Can Utah compete with anyone in the NBA when it plays the game the right way? Yes. Do the Jazz have deep-rooted flaws and an unnerving tendency to stray away from everything that makes them good? Yes.

During a stretch that's seen Utah lose seven of nine and 10 of 15, the Jazz have been plagued by many of the same problems that undermined the 2010-11 version of the team. Everything from overall effort to offensive/defensive execution has been inconsistent, and Utah's spent the majority of its last two games performing like it has no interest in making the playoffs or even producing a winning ...

Oklahoma City — Official postgame quotes following the Jazz's 111-85 loss to the Thunder on Tuesday.

UTAH JAZZ COACH TYRONE CORBIN:

On tonight’s effort:
“It is the third night of a back-to-back. Everybody is a little tired and we ran out of gas. They are a good ball club. We are okay and we will ready to go. We will get ourselves back together, get some rest and we will be fine.”

Did your team just ran out of gas tonight?
“I think so. The first quarter was pretty close. We got it down to th...

New Orleans — Official postgame quotes following the Jazz's 86-80 loss to the Hornets on Monday.

Jazz Head Coach Tyrone Corbin:

On if the game was a letdown: “Absolutely, it was everything I thought it wouldn’t be. We came out flat from the beginning of the ballgame and we turned the ball over the first three possessions of the game. We were relaxed. You have to give them credit. They played harder than we did. They made shots. We didn’t do that. We can’t afford to do that. We had a great win last night. We took a step back tonight.”

On how perplexing tonigh...

Memphis, Tenn. — Official postgame quotes following the Jazz's 98-88 win against the Grizlies on Sunday.

JAZZ FORWARD PAUL MILLSAP (16 POINTS, 8 REBOUNDS)

On the win:
We’re continuing to get better. This is a game we really needed and especially starting this week off. This is how we need to play the rest of the time.”

On Gordon Hayward:
He gives us another playmaker. Gordon Hayward can shoot, pass, dribble and he’s using all his strengths to help our team. Me and Al (Jefferson) get the ball so much, there’s only so much we can do down low, so he spaces things out and helps us out a lot....

Memphis, Tenn. — The first sign Sunday things felt right was during shootaround, when coach Tyrone Corbin openly discussed brining his team Saturday to the National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis. The second was Utah's pregame locker room, which was a perfect mix of focus and looseness. Raja Bell zoned out on his iPad. Gordon Hayward, Jeremy Evans and Earl Watson continued to bond. Alec Burks watched the trio and laughed. Al Jefferson teased a trainer. For a team facing its biggest road test of the season, the unproven Jazz looked like they'd been there, done that.

They soon had,

Memphis, Tenn. — Excerpts from an interview Sunday morning with Jazz small forward C.J. Miles following shootaround at the FedExForum.

Miles on Utah's trip Saturday to the National Civil Rights Museum: It was good, man. We're a tight-knit group. But doing something like that is always fun and always good. And it's a great exhibit and it's powerful stuff.

His first time: Yeah, that was my first time. … It's heavy, man. Like, I knew a lot of stuff that I realized. But there was a lot of stuff ...

Memphis, Tenn. — Notes following Jazz shootaround Sunday morning at the FedExForum.

Utah coach Tyrone Corbin said he plans to start Devin Harris, Raja Bell, Gordon Hayward, Paul Millsap and Al Jefferson on Sunday night against the Grizzlies. Corbin acknowledged, though, he could alter the Jazz's rotation as the team works its way through a back-to-back-to-back road series at Memphis, New Orleans and Oklahoma City.

The Jazz had Saturday off in Memphis. With Utah facing a crossroads, Corbin used the rare free day to build chemistr...

The Jazz practiced at noon on Saturday, two hours later the usual because of their late-night 101-87 loss to Oklahoma City.

Coach Tyrone Corbin and his team are scheduled to fly to Memphis later in the day to start a three-games-in-three-nights stretch against the Grizzlies on Sunday. The Jazz also play New Orleans on Monday and get a rematch with Oklahoma City on Tuesday.

The Jazz have lost three straight games, dropping to 13-12 for the season. New York, Indiana and the Thunder have all scored at least 99 points against Utah during its worst stretch of the season.

"We have to get back to the basics," Corbin said. "We have to get back to work. We can't feel...

Jazz fall 101-87 to Oklahoma City, and Jefferson stares straight ahead into Utah's challenge

Gordon Hayward on defending Oklahoma City's Kevin Durant: I think there were two plays that I remember. One where he just passed me and dunked it. And then there was one right after I fouled him at the beginning — I laid off him and didn't get another foul — and he hit a jumper in my face. But other than that, I thought I played solid on him. He's a good player. He's like a 6-11 shoot...

Official postgame quotes and notes following the Jazz's 101-87 home loss Friday to the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Notes: The Jazz are now 71-87 all-time against the Oklahoma City Thunder/Seattle Supersonics … All five starters for the Jazz scored in double figures, led by Al Jefferson with 20 points on 9-18 field goals … Utah was outrebounded 46-32 and had a season-low six offensive rebounds for the game (previous low was 7, Feb. 1 vs. LAC, Feb. 7 @ IND) … The Jazz entered the game fifth in the NBA in free throws made per game at 20.1, but were only 8-13 from the free throw line (season lows in...

Notes following Jazz shootaround Friday morning at EnergySolutions Arena.

Utah is expected to start Devin Harris, Raja Bell, Gordon Hayward, Paul Millsap and Al Jefferson against Oklahoma City.

Bell is dealing with a minor wrist issue, Jazz coach Tyrone Corbin said, but is expected to play.

All 14 Utah players should be available.

Hayward will initially defend Thunder forward Kevin Durant.

"We'll use different guys on...

Jazz coach Tyrone Corbin spoke enthusiastically about the signing of small forward DeMarre Carroll prior to practice Thursday morning.

"He's a good young hustle player who is finding his way in this league," Corbin said. "He had a great college career. ... He really works hard on both ends of the floor. A phyiscal defensive player. He's going to add a lot of energy."

Referring to Jazz general manager Kevin O'Connor, Corbin said, "I think he's a guy Kevin has had on his radar for the last couple of years and there was an opportunity to get him now -- an opportunity to add a player that we think will help us grow. ... He's a 'three-man' that can play bigger 'threes.' He ...

Excerpts from The Salt Lake Tribune's interview with NBA Commissioner David Stern on Monday at the league office in New York.

Expansion into markets such as Seattle, Kansas City or Las Vegas: I don't see it, honestly. There are franchises that might turn out to be candidates for moving through relocation. I won't rule it out because the owners always consider it. But...

The Jazz will sign forward DeMarre Carroll, a 6-foot-8 forward who was the 27th pick in the 2009 NBA draft. Team president Randy Rigby announced the signing during a radio interview Wednesday afternoon.

Carroll attended college at Missouri and played 71 games for the Memphis Grizzlies during the 2009-10 NBA season. He averaged 2.9 points and 2.1 rebounds. Most recently, Carroll played for the Denver Nuggets.

Carroll, 25, will be the Jazz's 14th player under contract. Teams can carry as many as 15 players. Rigby called Carroll "an insurance policy" during his radio interview.

The Jazz play Oklahoma City on Friday night at EnergySolutions Arena.

In the middle of his second season, up and down all the way, Jazz forward Gordon Hayward has shown enough production and promise to be recognized on a national level.

The 6-foot-8 small forward, on Wednesday afternoon, found himself chosen amongst 18 players to the Rising Stars Challenge of first and second year players for all-star weekend in Orlando. In doing so, Hayward just may be the only Jazz to participate in all-star weekend, if Paul Millsap isn't selected to the all-star game, or Jeremy Evans to the dunk contest.

Hayward still has a lot of improvement to make, but he has been one of Utah's best all-around players, averaging 9.8 points per game, 3.3 assists and 3.1 r...

Indianapolis — Official postgame quotes following the Jazz's 104-99 loss to the Indiana Pacers at Bankers Life Fieldhouse.

Quoting Pacers Head Coach Frank Vogel
“A quality win against a really good team. Give them credit for not quitting. We understand big leads are never safe in the NBA. D.C. (Darren Collison) carried us early and Danny (Granger) got hot late. When it came down to it, we made the plays at crunch time. Our greatest weapon is the ability to move the ball, find the open man with five guys who can score. They are as physical a team as there is in the NBA. (On the fa...

Utah Jazz center Al Jefferson speaks Monday with the media after a 99-88 road loss to the New York Knicks.

Brian T. Smith

Twitter: @tribjazz

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New York — Official postgame quotes following the Jazz's 99-88 loss to the Knicks on Monday at Madison Square Garden.

Madison Square Garden
New York Knickerbockers vs. Utah Jazz
February 6, 2012

Head Coach Tyrone Corbin
On tonight’s game:
You have to give them credit. They came out with a lot of enthusiasm right from the jump ball. I thought we were a little flat in the first half, and we tried to pick it up in the third and cut it to two points. In the fourth quarter we got away from what we were doing. We can’t afford to come out and think we can turn it off a...

New York — Knicks forward Amar'e Stoudemire will miss a game Monday night against the Jazz at Madison Square Garden due to personal reasons, CBS Sports reported.

Stoudemire's older brother was killed in a car crash Monday morning in Florida.

The Jazz play back-to-back road games for the first time in more than a month Monday and Tuesday, when they visit New York and Indiana, respectively.

The Jazz are 13-9 heading into the game against the Knicks, including 11-4 at EnergySolutions. They are only 2-5 on the road, but coach Tyrone Corbin believes his team is more confident after the home-oriented start to the abbreviated 66-game season.

"I think we are better prepared," Corbin said before Sunday morning's practice. " ... The way we're playing now -- the practices we've had -- I think we're ready to go on the road."

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During his career, Corbin played many times in Madison Square Garden. He...

Jazz regain edge, punch out L.A. Lakers 96-87

The Jazz are open to adding players to their 13-man roster. Utah can add up to two more athletes and is able to carry 15 at once. The Jazz know they need healthy bodies for an upcoming two-month road test, and the team will watch the waiver wire to see if anyone is made available that can help the organization.

Coach Tyrone Corbin on the Jazz not falling backward: This is a group of guys that's not going to quit. They want this t...

Official postgame quotes and notes following the Jazz's 96-87 home win against the Los Angeles Lakers on Saturday.

Notes: The Jazz is 57-100 all-time against the Lakers with a 41-38 mark at home … The Jazz move to 7-1 when holding opponents to 90 points or less … Al Jefferson recorded his ninth double-double of the season with 18 points and 13 rebounds … Paul Millsap recorded his eighth double-double of the season with 16 points and 13 rebounds … The Jazz outrebounded the Lakers 50-42 … The Jazz bench outscored the Lakers bench 49-12 … At the beginning of the fourth qu...

The Jazz's Raja Bell, Earl Watson and Devin Harris said Saturday evening they plan to play against the Los Angeles Lakers.

If all three go, Utah should have all 13 players active.

Brian T. Smith

Twitter: @tribjazz...

Excerpts from a media interview Saturday with Jazz guard Earl Watson.

Watson on leaving the team and going to Los Angeles to receive laser treatment on his sprained right ankle: About 15, 20 years ago, [Michael Sheps] he invented this laser to heal almost anything without surgery or any break or tear. He's the only one who has the machine. He invented it and he created it, and I thought it was a good chance to get there and try to get this done immediately.

Did it help: Yeah, it helped amazin...

Notes following Jazz shootaround Saturday morning at EnergySolutions Arena.

The Jazz's Devin Harris (strained left hamstring) and Raja Bell (strained right adductor) are game-time decisions Saturday night against the Los Angeles Lakers. Earl Watson (sprained right ankle) is doubtful.

"It'd be important to get just one of our point guards back," Utah forward Paul Millsap said. "That'd be great."

Harris said his hamstring is feeling better. Barring a setback, he plans to play.

A post was made to Jazz CEO Greg Miller's Twitter account Friday evening saying legendary former Utah forward Karl Malone is a liar.

"Hey Karl — you're lying. You have my number. Next time you need a seat to a Jazz game, call me. You can have mine," Miller said via his account at 6:33 p.m.

Miller has a sideline seat at center court inside EnergySolutions Arena and regulary attends Utah's home games.

The comment refers to st...

Oakland, Calif. — Many ripped the Jazz when they signed nine-year veteran point guard Jamaal Tinsley before the 2011-12 season started. The ex D-Leaguer few wanted — an untouchable player once banished from the NBA — nearly stepped up to save Utah on Thursday, before the Jazz fell 119-101 to the Golden State Warriors at Oracle Arena.

Injury updates:

Official postgame quotes following the Jazz's 119-101 road loss to the Golden State Warriors on Thursday.

JAZZ HEAD COACH TYRONE CORBIN

ON THE TEAM’S PERFORMANCE:
“In the third quarter [we gave] up 40 points. We got away from executing our offense and that was one of the things that we were concerned about right from the beginning. You get into an up-tempo game with them at a fast pace and take early shots. They’re really dynamic at taking advantage of your turnovers, ...

Oakland, Calif. — Jazz starting point guard Devin Harris (strained left hamstring) is out Thursday against the Golden State Warriors.

Veteran Jamaal Tinsley will start for Utah and is the team's only active point guard, since Earl Watson (ankle) is also out and left for Los Angeles on Thursday to get a second opinion about his injury.

Utah only has 10 active players with Harris, Watson and Raja Bell out.

Oakland, Calif. — Jazz reserve point guard Earl Watson (sprained left ankle) is not with the team for a game Thursday against the Golden State Warriors and will receive a second opinion about his injury before returning to action.

He flew with Utah and arrived in Oakland on Thursday, but then left for Los Angeles to see a doctor. Watson's decision to receive a second opinion was announced by the Jazz at 4:40 p.m. PT.

Utah coach Tyrone Corbin said he supports Watson's decision to get a second opinion. The Jazz are unlikely to pra...

The Los Angeles Lakers in overtime Jan. 11. Dallas on Jan. 19. Toronto in OT Jan. 25. The Clippers on Wednesday, during a tough 107-105 home loss.

Four of Utah's eight defeats this season have been by five points or less. All were winnable games. All swung on crucial last-second plays, with a Jazz team that features four players 21 or younger unable to finish down the stretch.

Utah's made undeniable progress since the 2011-12 season began, while

Official postgame quotes and notes following the Jazz's 107-105 home loss to the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday.

Notes: The Jazz are now 98-60 all-time vs. the Clippers and 38-2 at EnergySolutions Arena …The loss snaps a 16-game home winning streak vs. the Clippers … Al Jefferson tallied 10 of his 27 points in the first quarter … Utah opened the second quarter with a 15-2 run followed by a Clippers 8-0 run … Utah outscored LA 29-24 during the second quarter … Utah’s 58 first half point...

Notes following Jazz shootaround Wednesday morning at EnergySolutions Arena.

Utah center Al Jefferson (inflamed right ankle) said he'll play against the Los Angeles Clippers, despite officially being a game-time decision. He went through shootaround, is no longer walking with a limp and coach Tyrone Corbin said he looks much better. Jefferson wore a boot after shootaround but said it was just a precautionary measure.

"Save it all for tonight," he said.

Jefferson added he's mainly dealing with tendinitis in ...

Jazz guard Raja Bell (strained right adductor) is out Wednesday against the Los Angeles Clippers. He was initially listed as a game-time decision.

Bell planned to try and practice Tuesday, but acknowledged he was unsure about the status of his injury. He was scheduled to take a training test to gauge the progress of his rehabilitation.

Utah center Al Jefferson (inflamed right ankle) is a game-time decision against...

Jazz guard Jamaal Tinsley was still dressing when his chant began.

"Defensive stopper, down there."

"Defensive stopper, Big Turkey."

"Defensive stopper, down there."

"Great job, Big Turkey."

Utah center Enes Kanter shot just 1 of 8 and only recorded three points Monday during a 93-89 home win against Portland. But he collected eight rebounds — five offensive — and helped shut down Blazers forward LaMarcus Aldridge during a decisive fourth quarter. Aldridge was gold in the third, hitting 6 of 8 shots and ext...

Normal starters Al Jefferson and Raja Bell will not play in the Jazz's game against Portland on Monday night at EnergySoultions Arena.

According to coach Tyrone Corbin, Josh Howard will replace Bell, who is sidelined with a strained adductor.

Meanwhile, Derrick Favors will move into the starting lineup for Jefferson, who...

Jazz small forward C.J. Miles initially filled in for guard Raja Bell on Saturday during the second half of a home win against Sacramento. But there's a chance forward Josh Howard could replace Bell in the starting lineup tonight against Portland.

Bell left the Kings game just before halftime due to a strained right adductor. Miles then teamed with Gordon Hayward in the first unit after the break.

Bell said he is out tonight against the Blazer...

Notes following Jazz shootaround Monday morning at EnergySolutions Arena.

Guard Raja Bell (strained right adductor) said he will not play against Portland. He is officially listed as doubtful.

"I'm out tonight," Bell said.

Center Al Jefferson (inflamed right ankle) is doubtful. During shootaround, Jefferson walked through an ESA tunnel wearing a boot on his right leg and limped heavily, favoring his left foot. He said he received a shot after a home game Saturday against Sacramento to address lingering pa...

Utah Jazz's C.J. Miles stops settling and starts attacking

It's been two weeks and Miles hasn't let up yet. The small forward is playing the best overall basketball of his career, and he's finally taking full advantage of his athleticism.

Moreover, Miles appears to finally get it. He has six-plus seasons on his NBA resume. He's still only 24. He's in a contract year. And, in many ways, he's the most dynamic offensive talent on Utah's roster ― which is one of the reasons the Jazz have stuck by him for so long and picked up his $3.7 mil...

One game after Utah's offense turned into an insider's only two-man show, the Jazz responded Saturday by letting their wings carry them to a 96-93 home win against Sacramento. Gordon Hayward and C.J. Miles combined for 41 points on 15-of-28 shooting, lifting up Utah and preventing someone named

Official postgame notes and quotes following the Jazz's 96-93 home win against Sacramento on Saturday.

Notes: The Utah Jazz is 90-73 all-time against the Kings with a 59-23 record at home … The Jazz is 8-1 when leading at halftime … Paul Millsap grabbed seven of his season-high tying 14 rebounds (PHI 12/30) in the first quarter … Gordon Hayward had a season-high 21 points (19 @DEN 1/15) … C.J. Miles scored 10 of his season-high 20 points (19 vs. LAC 1/17) in the third quarter … The Jazz’s bench outscored the Kings bench 45-13 … The Jazz scored a season-high 21 second chance points (20 @GS 1...

The Sacramento Kings guard — and former BYU Cougar — Jimmer Fredette talks about his return to Utah, his missed final shot and adjusting to the NBA.

— Kyle Goon

kgoon@sltrib.com

Twitter: @kylegoon

...

Dallas — Utah's offense was a two-man show Friday during a 116-101 loss to the Mavericks.

Center Al Jefferson and power forward Paul Millsap combined for 65 percent of the shot attempts by the Jazz's starting unit. Gordon Hayward (3 of 6), Raja Bell (3 of 4) and Devin Harris shot well (4 of 7) when they released the ball. But they went through long stretches where they either fed Millsap and Jefferson or were unable to get open looks, and Utah's offense often looked cluttered and stagnant.

Nice game by Enes Kanter, who scored 12 po...

Dallas — Official postgame quotes following the Jazz's 116-101 loss to the Mavericks on Friday.

Jazz Forward Paul Millsap

(You cut the lead down to 2 in the second half and then they went on that
run...) - "Yeah, we cut the lead down to 2, and they got a steal and then
they got out running and after a few plays they were back up by 8. And at a
time like that we've got to tie out defense down and do better with it."

(You've had some tough losses lately; what's you're read on where you guys
are at?) - "We're still learn; we're still young. It's going to take a
li...

Excerpts from a media interview Thursday with Sacramento guard Jimmer Fredette.

Feature on Fredette.

Challenges he’s faced during his rookie season: It’s been very, very interesting. It’s definitely not the normal way to go about it. With the shortened training camp and then having the coaching change the first week of the season, it’s something that I’ve never gone through before. It’s definitely tough and it changes your perspective on...

Dallas — Notes following Jazz shootaround Friday morning at American Airlines Center.

Center Al Jefferson (inflamed right ankle) and guard Raja Bell (sore right knee, sore back) remain game-time decisions against the Mavericks. Utah coach Tyrone Corbin said he's unsure whether they'll be able to play, although both went through shootaround. Jefferson said he's definitely a GTD.

"They're banged up," Corbin said. "We'll see. … Raj's back's still bothering him. Al's [hurt] a little bit. So we'll see. They'll get some more treatment this afternoon and we'll see once we get back."

Due to the uncertainty about Jefferson and Bell, Utah's...

Jazz center Al Jefferson will have an MRI on his sore ankle and leg Thursday, coach Tyrone Corbin said before practice.

Jefferson, Utah's top scorer and rebounder, did not play in Wednesday night's 111-106 double overtime loss to Toronto.

Jefferson started to participate in the Jazz's morning shootaround when he began to experience pain in his ankle and up into his leg. He left the shootaround about 10 minutes early, in the company of trainer Gary Briggs, and was declared out of the Toronto game about 90 minutes before tip-off.

Meanwhile, guard Raja Bell missed practice because of a sore knee and back, which he tweaked against the Raptors.