Brewer was removed in favor of Kyle Korver in the third quarter and did not return in the final 16-plus minutes of the Jazz's loss to Denver. Brewer bounced back with 12 points in 24 minutes against the Clippers.

During a timeout in the third quarter Thursday, Sloan appeared upset with Brewer after the Jazz gave up a fast-break basket to Carmelo Anthony. Brewer said it was the product of confusion between himself, Mehmet Okur and Carlos Boozer.

"It was a tough situation,'' Brewer said. "I thought I was in the right. Obviously, I shouldn't have said anything and should have just kept on playing hard."

Asked about Brewer talking back, Sloan said he went with Korver because Brewer was struggling and Korver had a strong first half. Sloan did say Brewer "earned that job" starting based on his play all season.

"The only way he can lose it is to not compete and not do his job,'' Sloan said, adding, "He does have to run the floor. That's one of the problems that [Gordan Giricek] had. He wouldn't run the floor. I just had to change and go somewhere else."

Strange days

As if the trade to Utah wasn't odd enough, Korver found himself guarding former Philadelphia teammate Allen Iverson in Thursday's loss. It was something Korver had done plenty in practice but only once before in a game.

"It was strange,'' Korver said. "He was a teammate for a long time, a lot of years, and he did a lot for me and my career as far as helping me with my confidence and getting me the ball and things like that.

"There was a whole lot of stuff in Philly when he left, with just the whole transition process. So to be on the other team now and Philly's not even involved in it and to be in the game is different."

Briefly

The Jazz starting five each shot better than 50 percent. . . . The Jazz are now 3-1 at home in the second game of a back-to-back set.

rsiler@sltrib.com