Jazz reserve big man Jarron Collins played for the first time this season Saturday, logging three scoreless minutes. Collins had been out because of a bruised elbow, bursitis and related triceps tendinitis.

As for Harpring, it was the second night of a back-to-back set — though that wasn't the sole reason he sat out.

"Matt's had trouble with his ankle, and it's still giving him some problems," Sloan said of ex-Cav Harpring, who has played just two games following offseason surgery and subsequent surgery.

Meanwhile, as of Saturday there still was no word from the Jazz as to when Okur will return.

DOWN ON THE FARM: J.R. Giddens — Boston's first-round pick from this year's NBA Draft — has been assigned to the Flash, the D-League franchise that the Celtics share with the Jazz.

Giddens is a shooting guard who played at the University of New Mexico and was 2008 Mountain West Conference Co-Player of the Year.

There has been no word on who, if anyone, from the Jazz will be joining the Flash as they prepare to start their season later this month.

Eligible candidates include Koufos; Morris Almond, who played 21 minutes because Kirilenko and Harpring both were out; and reserve center Kyrylo Fesenko.

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E-mail: tbuckley@desnews.com