Notes following Jazz shootaround Tuesday at EnergySolutions Arena.
Utah shooting guard Raja Bell (strained left adductor) is out against Oklahoma City. He'll be a game-time decision Thursday at Sacramento.
Jazz backup point guard Earl Watson (sprained left ankle) is a game-time decision against the Thunder.
C.J. Miles will again replace Bell in Utah's starting lineup. Miles will be joined by Devin Harris, Josh Howard, Paul Millsap and Al Jefferson.
"C.J. did a great job in the game, especially in L.A.," Jazz coach Tyrone Corbin said. "He was aggressive on Kobe [Bryant] and made it difficult for him to get the ball and made him work for everything he got. That's what we're going to need to continue going forward."
Corbin said he'll continue to go with the hot hand when determining how reserves such as Derrick Favors and Enes Kanter receive minutes.
Jefferson said he watched both Jazz games he missed — victories against Golden State and the Los Angeles Lakers — while attending his grandmother's funeral.
Brian T. Smith
Twitter: @tribjazz
