Utah Jazz: Raja Bell 'probable' for tonight's game with Warriors

SALT LAKE CITY — Shooting guard Raja Bell may play when the Jazz face the Golden State Warriors tonight, coach Jerry Sloan suggested today.

Bell has missed Utah's last two games due to a strained right adductor muscle.

"I don't know if we'll have Raja or not," Sloan said. "I'd say it's probable."

If Bell cannot go, Sloan added, rookie Gordon Hayward would make a third straight start in his place. Hayward went scoreless as a starter in the Jazz's last two games, Friday's home win over Orlando and Saturday's loss at Dallas.

"I'll go ahead and start Gordon," Sloan said.

"Yeah. Let him have a chance to play some," the Jazz coach added. "It's very important minutes for him, not having played (much previously) — get a chance to see where he is, and how he's gonna react, and try to improve."

The Jazz are calling both Bell and reserve center Kyrylo Fesenko "game-time decisions" for tonight.

Fesenko has missed Utah's last three games with a sprained left ankle.

Tonight ends a stretch with 10-of-12 at home for the Jazz, who start a run with 6-of-7 on the road Friday at New Orleans.

e-mail: tbuckley@desnews.com