Utah Jazz notebook: Team hopes to enjoy holiday week

Not only is this a busy week for many in the U.S. because of Thursday's poultrypalooza festivities, but the Utah Jazz also have a loaded home schedule with four games at EnergySolutions Arena.

In other words, it's a full week in more ways than one for the Jazz and their fans.

The crammed calendar began with Monday's 101-100 loss to Chicago. Up next are games Wednesday against Memphis and a rare home back-to-back Friday and Saturday versus Sacramento and New Jersey.

Jerry Sloan said he doesn't mind the extra helpings of games during the holidays. But the Jazz coach won't get sidetracked by Turkey Day, and he expects his players to stay focused, too.

"I don't have any problem with that. I've played on Christmas Day. I've played on Thanksgiving Day. You know, turkey's turkey. That's the big thing," Sloan said. "I don't see a big change in that. Basketball's basketball, so that's their job."

It might help the Jazz keep their focus on Thanksgiving Day that their roster includes three international players — Andrei Kirilenko of Russia, Kyrylo Fesenko of Ukraine and, of course, one from festively named Turkey.

So, does Mehmet Okur, Turkey's pride and joy, have plans to celebrate America's version of Turkey Day?

"No, we don't," Okur said. "I like turkey, though."

And his favorite?

"Country first, then bird," he said, laughing.

The Jazz's schedule in recent years, Sloan said, has included home games around Thanksgiving. But the Jazz always get away for the hustle and bustle of the Noel season, with an extended pre-Christmas road trip.

THE RETURN PART II: Deron Williams has marked Wednesday on his calendar to return from his severely sprained left ankle — only this time for good.

The Jazz point guard said Monday he isn't sure if he'll actually be back to 100 percent all season, but that he "hopefully" will be healed enough to return to action Wednesday against the Grizzlies.

Williams returned for two games on Utah's long Eastern road trip last month, but then admitted his comeback was a bit too soon. He injured himself in the preseason against the Jazz's opponent Monday, when he landed on rookie Derrick Rose's foot on Oct. 18 in Chicago.

"Wednesday's what I'm shooting for," Williams said. "Hopefully I get a practice in (today), see how it feels and go from there."