Utah Jazz adjust to Coach Phil

LOS ANGELES — Some had experienced it multiple times previously.

But for some with the 2-0 Jazz, Saturday night marked the first they've played with usual top assistant Phil Johnson — and not longtime head coach Jerry Sloan, who stayed at home with flu-like symptoms — calling the shots.

"It's different," starting shooting guard Ronnie Brewer said after the Jazz beat the Los Angeles Clippers with Johnson in the lead seat. "But, at the same time, Coach Phil does a lot of stuff in practice. He's always along Coach Sloan, so we're used to Coach Phil telling us stuff, giving us input, being tough on us.

"It's a little different when you have Coach Sloan yelling at you a little bit and getting on the refs," added Brewer, who was a rookie when Sloan missed his last game — also because he was sick — back in January 2007. "But we're kind of used to Coach Phil out there telling us stuff as well."

Sloan, who needs three more victories for No. 1,000 with the Jazz, traveled with the team to Los Angeles on Sunday and is expected to be back on the sideline for tonight's rematch with the Clippers at Staples Center.

KNIGHT AND DAY: Reserve point guard Brevin Knight, acquired from the Clippers in the offseason in a straight-up trade for fellow journeyman point Jason Hart, is much more comfortable running the Jazz offense now than he was in the preseason.

"If we can stay up-tempo, that makes it a lot easier for me,"

Knight said. "But in the half-court, Coach (Sloan) is doing a great job of keeping me in plays that I know pretty well — and the guys are really working with me and hanging in with me."

Hart was replaced in the opening lineup for Saturday's second half by rookie Mike Taylor, but — with Baron Davis expected to miss a second straight game due to his sore left hip — the Clippers are calling the ex-Jazz guard their probable starter for tonight.

INJURY UPDATE: Both point guard Deron Williams (sprained ankle) and veteran forward Matt Harpring (ankle rehab) traveled to Los Angeles, but the Jazz continue to call Williams "doubtful" and Harpring "out."

Williams has said he hopes to return Wednesday night vs. Portland. Harpring didn't attend Saturday's game because he also was sick, but he made the trip anyway.

Reserve big man Jarron Collins (elbow/tripceps tendinitis) didn't dress Saturday, and he's "questionable" for tonight.