Utah Jazz notebook: Sloan still not sold on late-game substitutions

He did it because he really wanted the victory, especially against a Northwest Division opponent who could challenge his club for home-court advantage in a potential postseason series.

But is the way Jazz coach Jerry Sloan substituted his finishers Wednesday night against the Portland Trail Blazers — including swapping shooting guards Ronnie Brewer and Kyle Korver on defensive and offense possessions, respectively — something that will be seen throughout the season?

Sloan didn't sound so certain of that prior to practice Thursday.

"We'll just have to see how things are going," he said. "Ronnie Brewer's playing pretty well, and Kyle gives us an ability to be able to shoot the ball."

The 4-0 Jazz did win Wednesday, but only after Brewer, who hit a key 3-pointer in the third quarter, blew a couple of defensive assignments — including allowing Portland guard Brandon Roy to fly by him for a late-game layup, and leaving Blazers guard Rudy Fernandez open in the corner for a final-minute 3-pointer that would have tied the game had it fallen.

"Sometimes you can over-coach and get to doing a lot of different things, and I think guys get more confused by it sometimes than it really helps them," Sloan said. "It's just that in our imagination sometimes we get a little carried away."

In any event, Sloan suggested, it's nothing personal.

"They think we're messing with their time sometimes, and trying to (mess) them up," he said. "All we're trying to do is win. ... We make decisions based on what we think the best for us to have a chance to win."

Korver, who typically closed games for the Jazz after being acquired from Philadelphia last season, seemed to understand, and called Sloan's decision-making "good coaching."

"As long as we win, we can do it every game," he said. "It's not a big deal. I think that's part of coaching, it's just part of strategy, and I thought it worked well."

Brewer — who said he just has "to go out there and provide some sort of spark, something to keep (Sloan) happy" if he's going to continue finishing — seemed to sense it might not happen all the time.

"It's a long season, 82 games," Brewer said. "So you're gonna have to do different things to win certain games. That just worked for us (Wednesday) night. You never know if it's gonna work in other games. But Coach Sloan is a good coach, and he's gonna make adjustments."

KIRILENKO MISSES PRACTICE: Jazz forward Andrei Kirilenko didn't practice Thursday because of a headache stemming from a blow to the jaw and eye area he took during Wednesday's fourth quarter.

The Jazz are calling Kirilenko, who did finish Wednesday's game, "probable" for Friday's home meeting with Oklahoma City.