Utah Jazz: Team looking to claim another division crown tonight

NEW ORLEANS — A second-straight playoff berth was mathematically clinched Sunday.

And a second-consecutive Northwest Division championship can be claimed tonight, either with a win at New Orleans or a Denver loss to the Los Angeles Clippers.

It may not seem like much in the scheme of things, but don't for a second think either accomplishment is not held in high regard by the Jazz.

"It seems like it's a long haul," coach Jerry Sloan said prior to practice Monday morning, "but once you know you're gonna be in there it's a really good feeling."

That said, however, the 51-26 Jazz still eye other prizes with just five games remaining in their 2007-08 NBA season — including tonight's visit with the Western Conference-leading New Orleans Hornets.

Some — like leap-frogging not only 54-22 New Orleans, but also the 53-24 Los Angles Lakers, 53-24 San Antonio and 52-25 Houston, to finish first in the West and claim homecourt advantage until the NBA Finals — seem at this point like a far-fetched stretch.

The Hornets, after all, are 3.5 games ahead of Utah in the current conference standings.

"That's a pretty steep hill to climb — three-and-a-half with five left," backup shooting guard Kyle Korver said. "I mean, crazier things have happened, I guess. But three or four teams would have to all lose a bunch of games."

Others — like securing homecourt advantage for at least the first round of postseason play — remain much more realistic.

"There's a small chance that we can up to the No. 1 spot,"

All-Star power forward Carlos Boozer said. "But if we can't we'd like to have that homecourt (early on)."

"We're gonna try to win 'em all," added Korver, looking forward not only to tonight's game, but also those at Dallas on Thursday night, at home against Denver on Saturday night, at home against Houston on Monday night and at San Antonio on April 16.

"Then, wherever we're at the end of the season, that's where we're at."

As to the most-pressing of matters, however the goal is rather rudimentary.

"We've got to prove to ourselves that we can play (in New Orleans)," said Korver, memory of the Hornets' spanking of the Jazz earlier this season in the Big Easy obviously still fresh in his mind.