"That's what it's all about," said Almond, whose contract option for next season was not even picked up by the Jazz just more than a month ago. "You know, it's a long season — and every so often guys step up."

"I was proud of the way he played," Sloan added. "He deserved the opportunity."

Sloan suggested Almond was playing better defense than Brewer and Miles, which is why he stuck with him.

"So, it's just one of those things, you know," the Jazz said. "Sometimes you make the wrong move — and sometimes you get lucky."

NOTES: As expected, the Jazz also were without reserve forward Matt Harpring (back) and reserve big man Jarron Collins (elbow) Tuesday. ... But Brevin Knight (sprained finger) dressed (and did not play) after missing three straight games, and fellow reserve point Price played after missing practice Monday so could he attend an uncle's funeral in his hometown Houston area. ... Collins turned 30 years old Tuesday, joining Harpring and Knight as the Jazz's only players 30 or older. ... Sacramento started Spencer Hawes at power forward Tuesday in place of ex-Jazz big man Mikki Moore, a move made by coach Reggie Theus as an apparent nod to the youth-development desire from Kings management/ownership.

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E-mail: tbuckley@desnews.com