Jazz face tough opening stretch

OAKLAND, Calif. — With their first five games coming against playoff teams from last season — tonight's season-opener at Golden State, Houston, Golden State again, the Los Angeles Lakers and Cleveland — the Jazz seem to sense they'd be hard-pressed to repeat last season's 12-1 start.

"We could possibly win all those games," starting point guard Deron Williams said Monday. "And we could possibly lose all those games."

Some, however, are holding out hope even as Utah plays six of first 11 games on the road.

"We're capable of it, yeah," backup small forward Matt Harpring said. "You know, that (12-1) is hard to do. There's no question about it. But the goal is to go out and win every game. We have the talent to do that."

"It's a tough test, but I think we're ready for it. We were a playoff team, too," starting shooting guard Ronnie Brewer added. "If we come out and play well, we can have that start. If we don't play well, we can start off 0-5."

HARPRING UPDATE: The Jazz are listing Harpring, who missed all seven preseason games because of his surgically repaired right knee, as a game-time decision for tonight.

All indications Monday, though, were that after conferring with coach Jerry Sloan and trainer Gary Briggs, Harpring likely will opt to play.

"We're gonna talk (today)," Harpring said. "It's gonna be a great day."

Assuming he does go, Sloan is likely to closely monitor Harpring's minutes: "That's one of the things you worry about with any player — if you put them out there and play them, how much do you play them before you get them hurt again?" the Jazz coach said. "Unfortunately you look at the bad side of it and try to go from there."

LYDE RELEASED: The Jazz on Monday waived free-agent center Kevin Lyde, reducing their opening-night roster count to 14.

"Tough call," general manager Kevin O'Connor said. "He was in the best shape he's ever been in — even better than the summer."

The Jazz, O'Connor suggested, decided they wanted to keep their 15th and final roster spot open for flexibility purposes — but will consider soon signing someone who recently has been waived and/or bought out.

Said O'Connor: "We're gonna evaluate."