Handlogten playing to extend his NBA career

LOS ANGELES — As the season winds down, with just six games left for the Jazz including tonight's against the Los Angeles Clippers, Jazz big man Ben Handlogten probably is playing for his NBA career.

He appears to know it, too.

"I got a lot laying on the table," said Handlogten, who at age 31 is in just his second NBA season. "I can't take anything for granted."

Even with that in mind, though, the always-hustling Handlogten's philosophy seems simple: He is who he is, and feels nothing can possibly change that.

"I really don't think it makes a difference, one way or the other," the European leagues veteran said, "because this is just the way I play."

Handlogten stuck with the Jazz as a surprise free-agent rookie last season, but blew out a knee after just 17 games.

After rehabbing, he re-joined the Jazz on what started as a 10-day contract last month — and is averaging 5.1 points, 3.3 rebounds and 15 minutes in 15 games, including four starts, this season.

"I try to take pride in what I do," the Western Michigan product said, "so whether I had a guaranteed seven-year contract or if I'm in the situation I'm in, I play the same."

INJURY UPDATE: Center Curtis Borchardt, who didn't play Saturday in Dallas due to tendinitis in his right knee, is expected to play tonight against the Clippers, the Jazz said Monday.

Guard Raja Bell, however, will not.

He has missed Utah's last six games due to a bruised right shin, and did not travel to Los Angeles. Bell is not expected to play Wednesday vs. San Antonio, either. His status beyond that is uncertain.

HIGH PRAISE: Avery Johnson, who recently succeeded Don Nelson as Dallas' head coach, had high praise Saturday for 17-season Jazz coach Jerry Sloan.

"You dream of having a coaching career like Coach Sloan," Johnson told the Forth Worth Star-Telegram. "He's up there with the elite coaches in the league."

After Dallas' 88-81 win over the Jazz, Keith Van Horn of the Mavericks also passed along kudos: "Coach Sloan will always have his team playing extremely hard at a high level," the ex-University of Utah star said.

DEFENSE 101: After Jazz rookie Kris Humphries spent much of Saturday night guarding Mavs All-Star Dirk Nowitzki, who finished with a game-high 24 points, Sloan delivered a postgame coaching tutorial — replete with visual aids.