But the Jazz nevertheless took care of taking care of Sloan at home, and at 5-0 they join Atlanta and the Los Angeles Lakers (both 4-0) as the NBA's last remaining undefeateds.

"We got the win," said shooting guard Kyle Korver, who added 13 points off the bench to join Boozer, Kirilenko, Mehmet Okur (16) and Ronnie Brewer (11) in double figures. "We're 5-0. We'll take it."

"The bottom line is that we are winning," Boozer added. "We still have a lot to improve on. I think we all acknowledge that we didn't play great in the second half of this ballgame, but the great thing is we're able to learn as we continue to win."

Which ultimately is all Sloan cares about.

That, and making sure his personal feats do not get in the way of what his team is doing.

Thunder coach P.J. Carlesimo walked to the Jazz bench and offered postgame congratulations, and later said Sloan is "not a good coach, he's a great coach."

After his handshake from Carlesimo, however, Sloan dashed off the floor in flash.

"I was in everybody's way," said Sloan, who at age 66 in his 21st season coaching the Jazz.

"I wish I could have crawled under the bleachers," he added, "and got out of there a little quicker."

If not 2,000, then, at least to start prepping for No. 1,001.

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E-mail: tbuckley@desnews.com