Utah Jazz: Team's versatility leads to preseason win over Lakers

ANAHEIM, Calif. — Coach Jerry Sloan spent part of the Jazz's opening week of training talking up his club's versatility.

Good thing they have it, too — because it sure did come in handy for their preseason opener, a 99-90 win over the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday night at the Honda Center here.

"Hopefully that makes us better," said Sloan, who promptly proceeded to blast the Jazz for "silly fouls" and "pretty much nonexistent" defense.

Key big men also were missing for Sloan, who revealed afterward he's contemplating a starting lineup change that may have 2004 All-Star Andrei Kirilenko moving to the bench.

Two-time All-Star power forward Carlos Boozer sat out the exhibition with soreness in a strained left hamstring — an injury to the same muscle he tore when missing 49 games during the 2005-06 NBA season, but one he doesn't expect will keep him out long-term.

The Jazz also lost big man Kosta Koufos to a left hamstring strain, though the rookie said he doesn't expect the "slight pull" will keep him out long either.

"It's not a big thing," Koufos said.

With Boozer out, the Jazz started reserve swingman C.J. Miles at small forward in incumbent Kirilenko's place next to usual backup power forward Paul Millsap.

Deron Williams opened in his normal spot at the point, returning starter Ronnie Brewer was at shooting guard and veteran Mehmet Okur started as he typically does at center.

Sloan's lineup decision Tuesday was partly a nod to the possibility Miles and Millsap will see time together during the regular season, which for the Jazz opens Oct. 29 vs. Denver.

"It showed I can have an expanded role, if he (Sloan) wants me to have one," Miles said.

The move also was prompted by the fact veteran backup small forward Matt Harpring remains out following offseason ankle surgery and a subsequent infection — a potential blow should he not be ready for the season's start.

"If Matt stays out," Sloan said, "I don't have much experience coming off the bench except for (backup shooting guard) Kyle (Korver)."

Asked if he'd consider using Kirilenko as a sub for the regular season, Sloan responded, "That's a tough question.

"But we've got to have somebody who has some experience," he said. "Andrei's always been a guy that when he steps on the floor he's alive. It doesn't take him long to warm up, and I'd rather have somebody like that (off the bench) than somebody that takes five possessions to get involved in the game.

"So," he added, "it's something we may think about."

First-rounder Koufos, meanwhile, entered at backup power forward — and spent his first stint guarding and being defended by a small forward, the Lakers' Trevor Ariza.

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