As evidenced by the 30.9 points he has averaged in 12 games against them -- second-most after only the Phoenix Suns -- the Jazz have had a difficult enough time at full strength trying to slow LeBron James.
Now consider they had to contend Saturday with James minus their best defender in Andrei Kirilenko , who reported little improvement in his injured right ankle and sat out his second consecutive game. Kirilenko, who received a cortisone shot after leaving Tuesday's game against Minnesota, did a little jogging at Saturday's pregame shootaround but couldn't even run full speed.
He also couldn't hide his disappointment at missing the matchup with James. "I want to play him. I like to play against him," Kirilenko said.
After receiving a cortisone shot in December, Kirilenko said the pain in his ankle disappeared in a matter of three or four days. He was hopeful the same would happen this time, leading Kirilenko not to rule out the possibility of playing tonight at Denver.
Kirilenko will need arthroscopic surgery after the season, but said he wasn't having second thoughts about not having the surgery last month. He previously said the surgery requires a recovery time of three or four weeks.
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Thoughts and prayers for Miller
The Jazz players and coaches were sobered by the news that owner Larry Miller had undergone a double amputation Friday to remove his lower legs starting 6 inches below the knee. Miller has battled a series of diabetes-related complications since the summer.
"It's just really, really sad when you think about it," Jazz coach Jerry Sloan said.
Miller's wife, Gail, attended Saturday's game, though Miller's courtside seat was left empty in tribute.
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Star power
He's averaged 17.9 points and 11.3 rebounds as a starter, recorded a streak of 19 consecutive double-doubles, overcome injuries to both his knees and held his own in recent weeks against Chris Bosh , Kevin Garnett , David West and Al Jefferson . Yet Paul Millsap is philosophical about his chances of being selected to play in the All-Star Game. As Millsap put it Saturday, "My time will come," adding that his plans for the Feb. 15 weekend include resting at home, not traveling to Phoenix for the game.
Millsap still could be chosen as a reserve by Western Conference coaches or as an injury replacement by NBA commissioner David Stern.
"It would be a great story," said Millsap, a former second-round draft pick making the NBA's minimum wage ($797,581) for a third-year player.
The Jazz are planning no elaborate campaign -- like the teams sending out GPS navigation devices to coaches and media -- to promote their players.
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Back in a Flash
Not only did the Jazz recall Kyrylo Fesenko after eight games with the NBA Development League's Utah Flash, they activated him Saturday ahead of Jarron Collins . Fesenko played eight minutes with Mehmet Okur in foul trouble and had two points.
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Familiar faces
Mo Williams and Sasha Pavlovic more than repaid their former team Saturday, combining to score 38 points and hit 8 of 17 three-pointers, including five in the third quarter as Cleveland opened an 81-73 lead.
rsiler@sltrib.com Alt Heads:
Jazz sorely miss AK Jazz at Denver
At Pepsi Center
Time ? Today, 6 p.m.
TV/Radio ? FSN Utah, 1320 AM, 98.7 FM
Records ? Jazz 25-19, Denver 28-15
Last meeting ? Jazz won 98-94 on Oct. 29
Line ? Denver by 5.5
About the Jazz ? The Jazz trail the Nuggets by three and a half games in the Northwest Division after Saturday's home loss to Cleveland. With a victory tonight, the Jazz would ensure no worse than a split of the season series, having beaten Denver 98-94 on opening night. The Nuggets played that night without Carmelo Anthony, who was suspended in connection with a DUI arrest. Anthony will out out tonight with a broken right hand.
About the Nuggets ? The Jazz have yet to play Denver this season since the acquisition of Chauncey Billups from Detroit. Since returning to his hometown, Billups has led the Nuggets to a 27-12 record, averaging 18.9 points and 6.8 assists. Denver has been off four days since beating Sacramento 118-99 on Tuesday.
