Utah Jazz: Deron's return paces Jazz past Grizzlies

Just how much is Deron Williams worth to the Utah Jazz?

On Wednesday night, he was worth at least an extra eight points against the Memphis Grizzlies — a number that could've been higher.

Playing his first game in two weeks — and just his third this season due to a nasty left ankle sprain suffered in the preseason — the Jazz point guard returned to Utah's lineup tonight and helped lead his team to a 117-100 blowout victory at EnergySolutions Arena.

Without Williams — who missed 13 games while recuperating from his injury — the Jazz only beat the Grizzlies 103-94 Saturday in Memphis. With him at home, it was a blowout from the get-go.

Williams finished his first appearance at home this season with a double-double of 15 assists and 11 points.

His re-entry into the Jazz lineup came at a good time for Utah, which didn't have Carlos Boozer (quad), Kyle Korver (wrist), Brevin Knight (index finger) or Jarron Collins (elbow) available for action.

Matt Harpring also played for a brief period after missing Monday's game with a strained back.

The Jazz also got some impressive outings out of their other starters. Paul Millsap recorded 24 points and 16 rebounds after replacing Boozer in the starting lineup, center Mehmet Okur had 21 points and 10 rebounds, and Ronnie Brewer totaled 21 points, five rebounds and five assists, and C.J. Miles added 11 points.

Andrei Kirilenko also had 17 points for Utah off the bench.

The Jazz, who improved to 10-6 after Monday's disappointing buzzer-beating loss to Chicago, return to EnergySolutions Arena for a rare back-to-back set at home Friday against Sacramento and Saturday versus New Jersey.

Utah turned a 13-point halftime lead into a 24-point advantage by the end of the third quarter with some razzle-dazzle fast-breaking action against the struggling Grizzlies.

Memphis dropped to 4-11 despite big scoring nights from Rudy Gay (27 points) and O.J. Mayo (22 points).

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