This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2008, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Posted: 12:32 PM- Trying to describe just how miserable the last two days have been with a stomach virus, Jazz center Mehmet Okur finally said Thursday: "It's hard to explain. I'm here, but I'm not, you know what I mean?"
Okur left Monday's victory over Toronto after the first quarter with a bug that has been serious enough to sicken everyone in his house, from his wife and year-old daughter to even his cook.
He couldn't get out of bed Tuesday and was finally able to keep down food Wednesday. Okur was hoping to take advantage of the Jazz's 8:30 p.m. game tonight against the L.A. Lakers to get some extra rest and be able to play.
"It's great to be here, but I'm not 100 percent right now," Okur said.
Forward Carlos Boozer is expected to play for the Jazz after suffering a lower back strain against the Raptors. "It's been nagging for about two months and it finally pulled in the Toronto game," Boozer said.
Can Boozer avoid aggravating the injury as the Jazz go forward this season. "We're going to find out," said Boozer, who took part in the team's pregame shootaround Thursday.
There is much at stake for the Jazz with tonight's game, especially with regard to the Western Conference standings. The Jazz trail New Orleans and the Lakers by just two games for the conference's best record.
The Jazz also can set a new franchise record by winning their 20th consecutive home game, with three more games still remaining in their current homestand. The Lakers, meanwhile, will be making the last stop on a four-game trip.
With forward Pau Gasol out with a sprained ankle and center Andrew Bynum's return from a dislocated kneecap uncertain, the Lakers are starting Ronny Turiaf at center and Vladimir Radmanovic at power forward.