Sloan joked if it were easy to know all the answers in advance he "wouldn't even have this job."

"I'd go home and sit in a rocking chair," he added. "I wouldn't have to make any decisions except which TV stations to watch."

RARE MULLIGAN: Korver experienced a first in his career Wednesday — and a fine time for it, too — when Denver forward Chris Andersen was called for a lane violation on his second free-throw attempt with 12.5 seconds remaining.

Controversial? Yep. Great timing? Bigger yep.

Korver swished his redemption foul shot to put Utah up by three, and Kenyon Martin then missed a tying 3-point attempt.

"That's never happened to me before," Korver said. "I'm very grateful. I've never missed a free throw and had somebody step in and get to shoot it again. It kind of caught me off guard. I was like, 'Thank you, Jesus.'"

Korver added that an official warned players before his missed shot to stay out of the lane.

INJURY UPDATES: Korver sustained a mildly sprained right wrist in Wednesday's win. He didn't practice Thursday but according to the Jazz is listed as "probable" for Saturday night's game against the Los Angeles Clippers.

Point guard Deron Williams also did not practice Thursday and remains "doubtful" for Saturday. He continues to eye Wednesday's game against Portland for a possible return from a sprained left ankle sustained in the preseason.

Harpring (ankle rehab) did practice Thursday, but according to the team he won't play Saturday and remains out indefinitely.

STILL WAITING: Reserve shooting guard Morris Almond said Thursday morning that he still didn't know if the Jazz would pick up the third-year, 2009-10 season option on his rookie contract.

Deadline for doing so is today.

Almond suggested he's not losing sleep over the matter, even though slightly more than $1 million in guaranteed money is at stake.

"Whichever way it goes," he said, "just ride with that."

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Contributing: Tim Buckley

E-mail: jody@desnews.com