McLeod, Battier injured in 4th-quarter collision

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — A fourth-quarter collision with Memphis Grizzlies forward Shane Battier cost Jazz backup point guard Keith McLeod one foul, the chance to finish a game and a visit with the doctors.

X-rays on McLeod's jaw appeared to be negative, Jazz trainer Gary Briggs said after Utah's loss Sunday at Memphis. McLeod was quite sore, though, as Briggs said the jaw was "jammed" upward in the contact with Battier.

The mishap occurred with 10 minutes and 38 seconds remaining, and the Jazz down three at 69-66 in an eventual 90-84 loss. McLeod, who was hurt driving to the basket on Battier, was replaced by starter Deron Williams and did not return. His status for Tuesday's game against Phoenix is uncertain.

Battier, meanwhile, needed four stitches to close a cut on his head. He did not return, either. It's the fourth time this season Battier has taken stitches in his head or face.

"At least it's on the other side of the head this time," he said, "so it looks like I have racing stripes. It was funny the first time — but I'm all too familiar with Novocaine at this point."

HIGHER PRIORITY: Usual Jazz television play-by-play announcer Craig Bolerjack has missed Utah's last three games to call NCAA men's basketball tournament games for CBS.

All ears in Memphis, however, have been tuned to Bolerjack's voice since Friday. He called first- and second-round tourney games in Dallas, including two wins for the No. 1-seeded University of Memphis Tigers.

In Memphis, interest in Tiger basketball easily trumps the Grizzlies this month.

Sunday's game, in fact, started with plenty of empty seats as many fans stayed home to watch the Tigers, then finally made it to the FedEx Forum around halftime of the Grizzlies-Jazz game. An hour before the NBA game the arena was practically empty, with most folks — even security guards — glued to a TV somewhere.

MISC.: Jazz coach Jerry Sloan again shortened his bench and used just three subs Sunday. Greg Ostertag, Milt Palacio, Kris Humphries and C.J. Miles all were healthy but did not play. Devin Brown (eight points) was the only Utah reserve to play more than 15 minutes, and the only one to score . . . With 17 points and a game-high 13 rebounds, Jazz big man Mehmet Okur recorded his team-leading 28th double-double of the season . . . Grizzlies guard Bobby Jackson returned from a strained rib muscle to score five points off the bench . . . The Jazz were credited with just four fastbreak points Sunday, only one above the low for Memphis opponents this season . . . Reminder: The Jazz game Tuesday against the Suns is a late, 8:30 p.m., TNT-televised start.

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E-mail: tbuckley@desnews.com