Utah Jazz down to eight active players tonight

SALT LAKE CITY — It might be a good thing the 2010-11 season is ending for the Utah Jazz.

If it lasted any longer, the Jazz might have to petition the NBA to start playing 3-on-3 basketball.

The Jazz will be without six veteran players for tonight's season-finale against the Denver Nuggets, with usual starting swingman C.J. Miles joining five previously injured teammates on the sideline.

With Miles out due to a knee/leg injury, Jazz coach Tyrone Corbin said he will move Paul Millsap to the small forward spot and start rookie Derrick Favors at power forward. Devin Harris, Gordon Hayward and Al Jefferson will also be in the starting lineup.

That leaves Utah with a bench consisting of as many players (Francisco Elson, Jeremy Evans and Earl Watson) as coaches (Corbin, Scott Layden and Jeff Hornacek).

Though bummed he can't play this last game because of a slight tear in his popliteus muscle — the muscle that attaches the fibula to the back of his left knee — Miles is relieved that his injury will not require surgery.

He hasn't been told how long he'll have to sit out but rest is what his leg needs to heal now — and the banged-up Jazz will have plenty of time to do that after tonight's finale.

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