Utah Jazz: Boozer to play tonight against Lakers; Memo's iffy

All-Star power forward Carlos Boozer continues to be a go, but the Jazz still aren't sure if starting center Mehmet Okur will play in tonight's TNT-televised game against the Los Angeles Lakers.

Boozer left Monday's win over Toronto in the fourth quarter with a mild muscle strain in his back, which has been bothering him — but not caused him to miss any games — for much of the season.

He did not practice Wednesday as initially expected, but did take part in Thursday's morning shootaround and afterward said he did plan to play.

"I felt great. I felt really good," the Jazz's leading scorer and rebounder said. "Obviously not 100 percent, but I've been playing with it for two months, so I'm gonna keep going."

Okur, an All-Star last season, left Monday's game in the first quarter due to the stomach flu. He also did not practice Wednesday, but was present at the shootaround.

"I'm sure he's a little weak," Jazz coach Jerry Sloan said. "Whether he plays will be up to him."

Okur said after the shootaround that he wasn't sure if he'd be able to dress or not for the 8:30 p.m. start.

"We have such a late game tonight, so I have six, seven hours," he said. "I'm gonna get some rest, and we go from there."

Okur said he felt better, and was able to hold down both food and liquids Wednesday. But he doesn't feel quite right.

"I'll be honest: It's been tough for me," he said. "When did we play? Monday? Tuesday I was (asleep), threw up, and I wasn't able to eat. Yesterday I finally started to eat a little bit, drink ... It's been tough, though.

"I'm kind of right now ... it's tough to explain. I'm here, but I'm not. You know what I mean?"

The Jazz are seeking a franchise-record 20th consecutive home victory tonight.

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