Utah Jazz waiting for Boozer boost

He has been out for 29 straight games and is bound to miss at least another two-and-a-half weeks or so while rehabbing his surgically repaired left knee.

But with their season now halfway done and the next stretch of 41 games about to begin with Tuesday's home outing against Minnesota, some with the 24-17 Jazz already are itching to see how things will be once two-time All-Star power forward Carlos Boozer finally returns.

"I think we're all interested in seeing what's going to happen," said Paul Millsap, the Jazz's primary replacement starter at the 4 spot during Boozer's long absence, after returning from a knee injury of his own to play in Saturday night's loss at Dallas. "It's going to be interesting to see us in the second half, when both of us are healthy."

"We've missed Booz tremendously this whole season," point guard Deron Williams added, "and hopefully we can get him back soon, because we need him bad."

With Boozer in the lineup and running pick-and-rolls, Williams said, "It takes a lot of pressure off me."

Jazz coach Jerry Sloan, however, warns that nothing is guaranteed whenever Boozer does return.

"The next thing to have to worry about that is ... he's not at the top of his game," Sloan said. "I think that guys that get hurt and stay out any period of time, it takes them a little while to get their feet back and try to figure out the timing and all the stuff you're doing on the offensive end.

"Boozer, being out as long as he has, it will take him time. A lot depends on how he rehabs, and (if he) keeps himself in great condition."

If all goes as at least some suspect, however, the Jazz will be well-positioned to at least lock down an NBA Western Conference playoff spot.

"That's what we're looking for," Millsap said. "We're just trying to hold on until then."

RUMOR MILL: According to Yahoo.com, the Miami Heat's long-rumored interest in Boozer may be on the wane and instead a trade is being considered by Miami that would bring Toronto big man Jermaine O'Neal to the Heat and send Shawn Marion and his hefty expiring contract to the Raptors.

"For Miami," Yahoo's Adrian Wojnarowski wrote, "the core choice is difficult: How much does (O'Neal) have left in that battered body? The Heat had been believed to be a favored destination for ... Boozer, but there are increasing questions about Boozer's appeal because he has knee problems of his own."

Boozer can opt out of his current contract and become a free agent this offseason.