Thursday night Jazz-Lakers game canceled

ANAHEIM, Calif. — Because of wildfires that have ravaged Southern California this week and prompted the ordered evacuation of about 350,000 homes, the Jazz's would-be preseason-ending game against the Los Angeles Lakers — originally scheduled for Thursday night in San Diego — was canceled late Tuesday night.

The game was to have been held at the Sports Arena in San Diego County, where according to the Associated Press about 1,400 homes, businesses and other buildings have burned.

The decision was made by the host Lakers, with input from the Jazz.

"There is simply too much devastation in the area and too much uncertainty about what will happen in the next few days," Lakers business operations senior vice president Tim Harris said in a statement released by the team.

The two clubs on Tuesday considered multiple options, including moving the exhibition to Los Angeles or holding it at an alternate site, with Las Vegas proposed by the Lakers.

But the NHL's Los Angeles Kings are scheduled to play on Thursday night at Staples Center, and the Jazz apparently weren't interested in playing in Vegas.

Jazz players lauded the decision.

"To have a game when you have, literally, thousands of people without a place to live and that have lost all their possessions, and the fire's still raging down there — it does seem to be the right thing to not play at that venue in that city at this time," said center Jarron Collins, a Los Angeles-area high school product whose wife is from the San Diego area.

"People are losing their homes," point guard Deron Williams added. "I don't see any reason for it."

Said guard Jason Hart, a Los Angeles native who still owns a home in the area: "If we were out there playing basketball having fun, I really don't think — just out of respect — it would be appropriate."

Meanwhile, the Jazz and Lakers played Tuesday night in Orange County, where firestorms also have been burning.

Utah — opening with its likely opening-night starting lineup of Deron Williams, Ronnie Brewer, Andrei Kirilenko, Carlos Boozer and Mehmet Okur — jumped to an early 21-4 lead after back-to-back baskets by Okur. The Jazz led 34-14 after one quarter and 54-33 at the break behind 11 first-half points from Okur.