No big deal for Boozer vs. Cavs

Carlos Boozer vowed his first game against his old team would be no big deal.

He was right.

The Jazz power forward started strong Saturday night, pulling down eight rebounds in the opening quarter alone.

But he faded fast, scoring just three points with six boards in the second half to finish with a 12-point, 16-rebound double double as Utah fell 84-71 to Boozer's old Cleveland Cavaliers.

As for Boozer's controversial departure from Cleveland last summer, the Cavs — just like Boozer said late last week — really do seem to be over it.

"That situation — it's history," Cleveland coach Paul Silas told the Associated Press.

"It's a business for us," Cavs star LeBron James said of Boozer's decision to spurn Cleveland for a six-year, $68 million deal from the Jazz. "He had to do what was best for his family."

An item of interest however: Boozer invited ex-Cav teammates to his home for dinner Friday night, but attendance was apparently quite sparse.

PERSPECTIVE: The $5,000 fine the NBA imposed on Boozer for his flagrant foul Thursday on Sacramento's Maurice Evans probably isn't going to break the bank.

Boozer is being paid $10.97 million this season. A $5,000 fine for a player who makes that much is the equivalent of fining someone who earns $50,000 a year $22.79.

Evans sustained a mild concussion and a 12-stitch cut on his head when Boozer fouled him trying to block a dunk attempt.

HELPING HAND: Jazz fans, players, coaches and staff have combined with Larry H. Miller Charities and Larry H. Miller Group employees to donate more than $25,000 toward tsunami disaster relief.

Jazz president Dennis Haslam and injured Jazz center Jarron Collins presented a check to the Greater Salt Lake Chapter of the American Red Cross during halftime of Saturday's game.

WANTED: Add Philadelphia, according to multiple reports Saturday, to the rumored list of teams — New Jersey, Miami, Minnesota and Houston — that have had supposed trade interest in ex-Jazz forward Donyell Marshall so far this season.

MISC.: Jazz coach Jerry Sloan was tagged with a technical foul, his first in 39 games this season. . . . Guard Carlos Arroyo, the Jazz's starter at the point all of last season, did not play (coach's decision) for a third straight game, and has played only two minutes in Utah's last four games . . . Former Jazz first-round draft choice Sasha Pavlovic played five scoreless, no-shot minutes off the bench for the Cavs . . Absent Cavs: Dajuan Wagner (colitis), DeSagana Diop (bruised elbow), Luke Jackson (back surgery).

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E-mail: tbuckley@desnews.com