Utah Jazz: Boozer sits out Wednesday's practice, expects to play vs. Lakers Thursday

By Linda Hamilton
Deseret Morning News
Published: Wednesday, March 19, 2008 12:22 p.m. MDT
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Carlos Boozer, who removed himself from the Utah Jazz's 96-79 home win over Toronto Monday night with 6:13 left in the game due to a muscle strain in his lower back, did cardio work at Wednesday's practice but did not participate in any contact work.

However, he said he will play in Thursday night's game against the Los Angeles Lakers at EnergySolutions Arena. The game is at 8:30 p.m. and will be televised by TNT.

Jazz center Mehmet Okur, who left Monday's game at 5:17 of the first quarter and did not return due to a stomach virus, was told to stay home from Wednesday's practice but is expected for Thursday's shootaround. He is considered a game-time decision to play against the Lakers.

Boozer was quite certain he will play. "We'll take care of it today and make sure that it's ready to go tomorrow. I'll be ready tomorrow — absolutely," he said.

Boozer said he was trying to help trap Toronto point guard Jose Calderon when "I think I just reached out there, and it just pulled a little bit, and I felt it right away. It's getting better, going in the right direction."

With the team having Tuesday off and him getting some treatment, "I got a lot of healing done yesterday," he added.

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He said the injury is not the same one that he'd been dealing with a few weeks ago. "Different pain," he said.
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Recent comments

Geez, this is wild! If you go by "what if's" projections...

coug fan | March 19, 2008 at 9:12 p.m.

I don't think he would make a good 3 man, he isnt mobile enough...

Booze | March 19, 2008 at 8:56 p.m.

Too small as compared to what?.......2 or 3 seven foot tall biological...

tank | March 19, 2008 at 8:34 p.m.