The second time has been a charm for Andrei Kirilenko and the Utah Jazz.

When injuries to C.J. Miles and Kyle Korver muddled coach Jerry Sloan's early wing rotation, Kirilenko opened the season as the starting small forward.

Utah went 3-5 in those games.

At that point, Sloan decided he needed more experience off the bench. So, for the next two months, Kirilenko anchored Utah's second unit.

On Jan. 11, however, Miles was sidelined because of a viral infection and Sloan started Kirilenko against Miami.

The Jazz crushed the Heat, 118-89.

The lopsided win over Dwyane Wade & Co. began a 5-1 stretch for Utah, which has inched forward in the glove-tight Western Conference playoff race.

The success likely means that Kirilenko's days as a non-starter are over, at least for the time being.

Asked about his improved play before Sunday morning's practice, Kirilenko said, "I don't think it's a mental thing or other things. I think it's more the defense of the team. Team-wise, we're playing better.

"We struggled a little bit before the new year. But after we concentrate on our defensive stuff a little bit more, we started playing better. That's been one of the keys for success. Not me personally, but the team."

In Utah's five most recent wins, opponents average only 92.2 points.

"A.K.'s length bothers people defensively," said Deron Williams. "He gives us an added shot-blocker out there to start the game, which helps."

Said Sloan: "No question [his size] makes a big difference. He's able to block shots and play defense. I probably should have had him [starting] all along, if I'd been smart enough."

Early this season, however, Sloan was handcuffed.

By starting Ronnie Brewer and Kirilenko on the wings, the Jazz lacked consistent outside shooting.

Defenses were able to focus on Carlos Boozer, Memo Okur and Deron Williams.

The result was too many slow starts.

Since returning to the starting lineup, however, Kirilenko has improved his shooting.

He has made 32 of his 54 field-goal attempts, including an 11-for-15 outing at San Antonio, where he finished with 26 points.

When Kirilenko is another player the opponent must guard, the Jazz become far more versatile.

"He's playing well offensively. He's being aggressive," Williams said. "He's been shooting the ball well, especially that San Antonio game. He's a big reason we won that game."

Said Sloan: "He's given us another guy who can make plays -- pass the ball and he's shooting the ball pretty well. When he makes his outside shots, that makes a huge difference."

In Saturday night's 116-83 win over hapless New Jersey, Kirilenko put together another solid outing.

Despite jamming his finger early in the game, he finished with 11 points, three rebounds, two assists, two steals and two blocks in only 20 minutes.

"That's what A.K. does, man," Boozer said, holding his hand straight out flat and then raising it over his head.

"... When he's on his game, our team goes from being here to being [up] here. And I'll tell you, the last couple of weeks he's been fantastic."

Midway through his ninth season with the Jazz, Kirilenko has split his time between starting and coming off the bench.

Against Phoenix tonight at EnergySolutions Arena, he will play in the 697th regular-season game of his career. He'll make his 395th start.

"We're winning the games and that's all that matters," Kirilenko said. "We're on a pretty good roll right now and that's what I'm enjoying. I enjoy playing when we're winning."

luhm@sltrib.com