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Jazz forward Kyle Korver working his way back to full health

(Trent Nelson | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Jazz guard Kyle Korver (26) as the Utah Jazz host the New Orleans Pelicans, NBA basketball in Salt Lake City on Monday March 4, 2019.

Kyle Korver played just two minutes and 14 seconds in Game 2 on Wednesday night, and it was understandable: He was clearly off his game. While he did get two shots up in those two minutes, one was an airball.

But Korver felt confident on Friday that he’d be able to turn it around in the series.

I did the most in practice I’ve done in a bunch of weeks, so that’s encouraging," said Korver, who has been slowed by a sore right knee in recent weeks. “I’ll be ready when I get the opportunity. I know it’s not ideal, but you know what? Life’s not ideal sometimes. It’s all good.”

On Friday, Korver wasn’t on the Jazz’s injury report as either out, questionable, or probable for the first time since March 30.

Ingles seeking to improve his play

Joe Ingles’ role expanded during the second half of the season, as he averaged 13.9 points and 7.5 assists per game. And his shooting returned to the form of the previous two seasons: He shot 43.5% from deep after the All-Star break.

But in the Jazz’s two games so far, Ingles hasn’t contributed anywhere close to his usual regular season numbers, scoring just five points per game and contributing only 3.5 assists per contest as well.

“I don’t know if it’s been a focal point of theirs, but it seems like they’ve been trying to take me out of it a fair bit,” Ingles said. "That’s obviously on me a little bit to be aggressive, to find the ball.

“We’ve got a really good coach that makes adjustments and offensively, for me, will put me in the right spot to be successful," Ingles said. “When those chances come, I’m going to be aggressive.”

Back home again

The return to Vivint Smart Home Arena promises to help bring some semblance of energy back to the Jazz.

"The crowds [are] always great during the regular season obviously and they’re kind of better in the playoffs,” Ingles said. “They do give you that little bit of a little bit extra sometimes and yeah, hopefully, especially [Saturday] night.”

For their part, the Jazz organization is trying to make the arena seem a little special, too. Just like Game 3 of the first round of last year, the Jazz will once again be in their City jerseys on the redrock-inspired court. Fans will receive either a yellow, orange, or red T-shirt, depending on their seating location.

There are also new murals being displayed in the concourses of Vivint Arena, painted by SLC artist Trent Call. The murals, depicting Jazz players on the gradient City background, were commissioned for the playoffs on wood panels.

“There are a lot arenas that are that are full, especially in the playoffs. Everyone’s feeling it but there’s only a few arenas that are rowdy; like rowdy. This is one of those,” Korver said. "So, crowd is going to be there, it’s going to be special and we’ve got to feed off their energy.”