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Alec Burks stays confident, ready to contribute when number called

Utah Jazz guard Dante Exum, rear, lays the ball up as Los Angeles Clippers forward Montrezl Harrell (5) defends in the second half during an NBA basketball game Thursday, April 5, 2018, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)

Alec Burks never knows when he’s going to play.

He hasn’t been in the regular rotation for the Utah Jazz in weeks. After practices and shootarounds, he often has to put in a full workout because he no longer receives many reps.

His games are often spent at the end of the bench. But, he’s stayed ready, and stayed confident. He knows that he can contribute when called upon.

“That’s the type of player that I am,” Burks said. “I’m always going to stay confident in my abilities.”

On Thursday night, in a 117-95 win over the Los Angeles Clippers at Vivint Smart Home Arena, Burks was called upon.

And he delivered.

In his first extended meaningful minutes since a late February loss to the Houston Rockets, Burks came off the bench and scored 13 big points. He shot 5 of 8 from the field. He punctuated his performance by catching an alley-oop dunk in transition. He made a difference when a difference-maker was needed.

“It felt good to get out there and see some shots go down,” Burks said. “I just know that I have to always stay ready and always be ready when I get an opportunity.”

How sparse has Burks’ production been? He’s had DNP-CD’s (did not play, coaches decision) in six of Utah’s last 10 games. He’s played double-digit minutes in just four games since March 1. And his last double-digit scoring performance? A loss to the Atlanta Hawks on Jan. 22.

That was the game that turned Utah’s season around.

Against the Clippers, the Jazz suffered significant attrition. Jae Crowder suffered a scratched cornea in the first half and didn’t return. Starting point guard Ricky Rubio felt hamstring soreness and left after the first quarter.

With the rotation needing bodies, Jazz coach Quin Snyder turned to Burks. He, along with Dante Exum and Jonas Jerebko helped the Jazz turn in one of their better bench performances of the season.

“It was important,” Utah coach Quin Snyder said. “To see Alec come in. Alec, those guys, they work. On certain days, they’ll be playing three-on-three, two-on-two, just keeping themselves ready to play.”

Snyder praised Burks as much mentally as he did physically. It hasn’t been easy for Snyder to bench the athletic 6-foot-6 shooting guard. At his best, Burks can break down a defense off the dribble, get to the basket and score and get to the free-throw line.

But Royce O’Neale’s emergence as a bona fide defensive wing stopper has eaten into Burks’ minutes. And it’s caused Snyder to make some difficult decisions.

“Alec came in during the first half and hit a big 3,” Snyder said. “I feel like the strength of this team has been the team. Guys have responded in situations like this.”