The second-year pro from Arkansas is playing like a starter, and he is making a serious bid to join point guard Deron Williams in the Utah Jazz's first-team backcourt.

Brewer scored 28 points to help the Jazz defeat the Milwaukee Bucks, 92-78, in a preseason game Saturday night at the Bradley Center. In just 25 minutes, Brewer was 10-for-12 from the field and 8-for-10 from the free-throw line, while adding five steals and two assists.

"The race will be all the way to the end of the season," Brewer said of claiming a starting spot at shooting guard or earning some time at small forward, which are interchangeable positions in coach Jerry Sloan's system. "I can't really worry who else is vying for that position.

"I can only take care of what I do out there, play solid on defense and play solid on offense and try to make plays."

Brewer played his third consecutive strong game in the preseason, showing he's ready to play a bigger role for Utah this season.

"He's gotten stronger, and he's worked at his game," Sloan said. "Obviously, he's got a long way to go because he's young and inexperienced. But he's getting some of it now."

Brewer showed aggressiveness in going to the basket and a smooth all-around game as the Jazz improved to 2-1 in the preseason. He scored 20 of his points in the fourth quarter, helping the Jazz overcome a 64-61 deficit after the first three quarters. Brewer and guard Ronnie Price posted 27 of Utah's 31 points in the final period.

Boozer update

Carlos Boozer still isn't ready for prime time, but just being back with his teammates is a tonic for the Jazz forward.

Boozer took part in the pregame drills with his teammates Saturday night, but he did not suit up for the second straight night, after joining the Jazz in Detroit on Friday.

Sloan said he would try to use Boozer in a limited practice session after the Jazz arrive in Phoenix on Sunday. Utah plays the Suns on Monday night to conclude a three-game trip.

Boozer missed the start of the preseason, with the team's permission, to be with his 1-year-old son, Carmani, who was undergoing chemotherapy and bone marrow transplants to fight sickle cell anemia.

"I'm happy to be around my teammates and get back in the fold a little bit," Boozer said. "I'll be out there soon enough."

Jazz 92, Bucks 78

UTAH - Kirilenko 2-6 2-2 6, Millsap 3-10 1-1 7, Okur 3-9 5-7 12, Almond 0-6 0-0 0, D.Williams 4-9 4-4 14, Brewer 10-12 8-10 28, Collins 1-3 0-2 2, Giricek 1-8 2-2 5, Hart 2-3 2-2 6, Fesenko 1-2 1-2 3, Price 2-8 5-5 9, Brown 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 29-77 30-37 92.

MILWAUKEE - Mason 0-4 1-2 1, Jianlian 6-13 1-2 13, Bogut 3-5 4-4 10, Redd 2-5 4-4 8, M.Williams 10-16 2-2 22, Bell 1-4 0-0 2, Gadzuric 2-4 2-2 6, Villanueva 2-8 2-2 7, Ivey 1-1 1-2 3, Noel 1-4 1-2 4, Voskuhl 0-0 0-0 0, Ruffin 0-1 2-2 2, Storey 0-3 0-0 0. Totals 28-68 20-24 78.

Utah 20 24 17 31 - 92

Milwaukee 15 26 23 14 - 78

Three-Point Goals-Utah 4-14 (D.Williams 2-4, Giricek 1-3, Okur 1-3, Brewer 0-1, Almond 0-1, Price 0-2), Milwaukee 2-15 (Noel 1-2, Villanueva 1-5, Bell 0-1, Redd 0-1, Jianlian 0-1, Storey 0-2, M.Williams 0-3). Fouled Out-None. Rebounds-Utah 50 (Millsap 8), Milwaukee 49 (Bogut, Villanueva 7). Assists-Utah 19 (Kirilenko 6), Milwaukee 18 (M.Williams 5). Total Fouls-Utah 27, Milwaukee 34. A-13,486. (18,717).