For starters, Harpring or Millsap?

DALLAS — With usual starting small forward Andrei Kirilenko expected to miss a fourth straight game when the Jazz visit NBA-leader Dallas tonight, coach Jerry Sloan has a decision to make.

Start struggling rookie Ronnie Brewer again? Insert backup small forward Matt Harpring, who had a season-high 31 points in Wednesday night's loss to Denver, into the opening lineup? Or what about rookie backup power forward Paul Millsap?

All are issues for the Jazz to ponder as they to go to Dallas, where they have dropped seven straight games, and try to avoid extending their longest losing streak of the season from five to six.

"We've got to figure out something to try to win a ballgame and get ourselves back on track," said Sloan, whose Jazz are trying to overtake Houston for homecourt advantage in their upcoming 4-5 seed first-round postseason series.

Considering that Brewer played only five opening-quarter minutes and was replaced by Harpring as a starter for Wednesday's second half, it's likely the choice for tonight will be between Harpring and Millsap.

On Thursday, though, Sloan wouldn't say for certain which of those two he'll tap.

Millsap has started just one game this season and struggled when he did. Harpring has come off the bench for all 73 of his games this season, including for a season-high 37 minutes Wednesday, but he was a regular starter earlier in his career.

"Paul (Millsap), he has an ability to be able to play some 3 (small forward) — and I need somebody to be able to back up Matt (Harpring)," the Jazz coach did say. "I can't play him 48 minutes.

"We just have to look and see, and see if that's better for us," Sloan added. "We've got to put ourselves together, so we can compete harder. I've got to have somebody that's gonna compete. Matt's given us that all year long, and it's been very important."

Kirilenko, who on Thursday was declared "out" for tonight, remains sidelined by a bone fracture in the tip of his left thumb.

The Jazz also are calling backup shooting guard Gordan Giricek "doubtful" for tonight. He sat out Wednesday with bruised ribs and recently missed six straight games with the same injury.

Their absences clearly have taken a toll on the Jazz, something even Sloan — who usually dismisses such issues — readily acknowledged Thursday.