Utah Jazz: Raja bell out tonight, Al Jefferson ankle still causing problems

SALT LAKE CITY The Utah Jazz have been fortunate for the most part in terms of avoiding the injury bug this season.

But two ailing starters Al Jefferson (ankle) and Raja Bell (adductor) will miss tonight's game against the Portland Trail Blazers (7 p.m. MT, ROOT).

With the two veterans out, the Jazz will go with a starting lineup that includes point guard Devin Harris, shooting guard Gordon Hayward, small forward Josh Howard, power forward Paul Millsap and center Derrick Favors.

This will be Howard's first start in a Jazz uniform.

"We'll move some pieces around and see how it develops," Jazz coach Tyrone Corbin said in his pregame interview.

Jefferson held out hope that his tendinitis-hampered right ankle would feel better by this evening, but it didn't progress enough to play.

Bell, suffering a strained right adductor (groin), ruled himself out after giving it a quick go at this morning's shootaround.

"It wasn't ready to go. It was still grabbing me," the 35-year-old Bell said. "I won't play tonight. (It) makes no sense to go out there and rip it up."

Bell has started in all 18 games for the 11-7 Jazz, and he said his sore knee and sore back "feel fine."

As for Big Al, the eight-year veteran was noticeably limping while slowly walking outside of the locker room this morning.

Jefferson, who's missed two games with ankle issues, confirmed that he'd played through pain Saturday. He received a shot that night to help him deal with the ongoing aggravation in his ankle.

"It felt like I was running on glass," Jefferson said. "I got through, but it was bothering me. That's why they decided to give me the shot right after."

Jefferson received a similar pain-killing shot earlier this season and said his ankle felt "brand new" once the medicine kicked in.

In the meantime, though, he said the shot has a painful after-effect for a day or so before the soreness subsides.

"It's feeling better and better," Jefferson said.

It's a big game for the Jazz, who had Sunday off following Saturday's 96-93 win over Jimmer Fredette and the Sacramento Kings.

Not only are the Jazz playing a division rival in Portland (12-8), but Utah is also approaching the rough portion of its schedule.