Jazz coach Tyrone Corbin might limit the minutes of his prime-time players Thursday night, when Utah closes its regular season against Portland at EnergySolutions Arena.
The Jazz clinched a playoff berth with Tuesday's 100-88 victory over Phoenix. They will likely be the No. 8 seed in the Western Conference, although they could move to seventh if they beat Portland and Denver losses its last two games.
Utah will play San Antonio if it becomes the No. 8 seed. The Jazz will meet Oklahoma City in the first round if it ends up seventh in the West.
Corbin plans to use his regular starting lineup against the Trail Blazers, including Devin Harris at point guard, Gordon Hayward at shooting guard, DeMarre Carroll at small forward, Al Jefferson at center and Paul Millsap at power forward.
Corbin said "no names" when asked who might be rested in the season finale. But Hayward and Millsap played 41 minutes against the Suns. Jefferson played 38. All have played heavy minutes during the playoff push by the Jazz, who have won four straight games, including two in overtime.
The Portland game might also given Corbin a chance to get Josh Howard and Raja Bell some meaningful minutes. Both have been sidelined since mid-March because of knee injuries. Howard returned against the Suns and played six minutes. Bell was on the active roster for the Phoenix game but did not play.
-- Steve Luhm
