Korver, meanwhile, is averaging 9.8 points and 21.5 minutes while shooting 41.3 percent from the field (though just 22.7 percent from 3-point range) in six games for the Jazz. Utah is 5-1 in that span, and on Saturday Korver both claimed C.J. Miles' old backup shooting guard spot in coach Jerry Sloan's rotation and finished in a down-to-the-wire win.

HE SAID IT: Sloan, after Saturday's 119-115 win: "We did a pretty good job passing the basketball. ... I was just disappointed in our defensive effort. ... We kind of let them do what they wanted to do most of the time."

FARM TALK: With starting small forward Kirilenko now seemingly fully recovered from the lower-back inflammation issues that caused him to miss three games, rookie shooting guard Morris Almond may be one Ronnie Price healed ankle away from a return trip to the NBA Development League's Utah Flash.

While Almond's still with the Jazz, though, Sloan's wish is that the 2007 first-round draft choice can show in practice not only that he understands what the Jazz are doing but also that he desperately wants to stay in the NBA.

"This will be important for him — to be a part of our team, and see where he is," Sloan said. "How bad do you want it? You're sitting right there at the edge of it."

Almond didn't play Saturday (coach's decision) but has logged 14 minutes in two games since being recalled.

Reserve-guard Price, who has missed three games with a sprained left ankle, is doubtful for tonight, meaning Almond's stay may be extended at least a short while longer.

DUNKIN' DEVIN: According to Sunday's Akron Beacon Journal, Cleveland coach Mike Brown "couldn't help but have fun" at the expense of Utah native Devin Brown after recently watching the ex-Jazz swingman and current Cavaliers guard "throw down a few dunks" against Seattle.

"When he starts going up for a dunk, sometimes in my mind I say 'noooooo,"' Mike Brown said. "Right when you are about to close your eyes you kind of peek and he barely gets that ball over the rim. I'm happy for him. I hope he keeps doing it. I just don't want him to pull a muscle or anything."

Responded Devin Brown: "Man, tell him to go to the tapes. I've been dunking on people for years."

SLUMPING SASHA: The Beacon Journal also reported that ex-Jazz guard Sasha Pavlovic of the Cavaliers is "shooting just 33 percent and losing confidence in his jumper."

"It's in my head now," Pavlovic told the newspaper.

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E-mail: tbuckley@desnews.com