Utah Jazz: Boozer good to go tonight vs. Nuggets

SALT LAKE CITY — Carlos Boozer plans to play tonight, the Jazz power forward said this morning.

Boozer is expected to return to Utah's starting lineup for its home game tonight against Northwest Division-leader Denver, the last in a four-game homestand.

"I look forward to getting out there tonight," said Boozer, the Jazz's leading scorer and rebounder this season.

"I had a great practice (Friday)," he added. "We played a little bit of 5-on-5 and it felt good. It felt great."

Backup Paul Millsap has started three straight games in place of two-time NBA All-Star Boozer, who last week sustained a moderately strained and slightly torn right calf muscle.

The Jazz won all three games he missed, and have won seven in a row overall and 11 of their last 12.

Utah, meanwhile, prepared at its shootaround this morning as if Nuggets All-Star Carmelo Anthony will not play tonight.

Anthony has missed six straight games with a sprained left ankle.

The Nuggets won on the road against the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday night, and did not hold a shootaround this morning.

e-mail: tbuckley@desnews.com