Doth injury woes still plague the Jazz? Nevermore

Ah, distinctly I remember it was in the bleak December,

And each separate dying ember wrought its ghost upon the floor.

— Edgar Allan Poe

Yeah, December was sort of a downer for the Jazz.

Through all those dark winter days, when the casualties mounted daily, it seemed the trouble would never end. Whenever one player came back, two others went out. Sprains and strains, breaks and tears became the norm.

But that was so yesterday. With a warm streak in the weather has come change. New life, in fact.

Grass sprouting, birds singing, injuries healing.

Everyone is back and healthy.

Now it appears someone else's turn for adversity.

The Jazz extended their win streak to nine on Wednesday night with a 101-94 victory over Houston, the team that was previously tied for the third-best record in the Western Conference. Now the Jazz are only about a percentage point from that No. 3 spot.

So the race remains photo-finish close and it appears the Jazz's aspirations aren't unfounded. True, their schedule includes 11 of their final 21 games against playoff contenders (plus two against bubble-team Phoenix). It's also true they have just eight remaining home games and 13 on the road.

But as the saying goes, at least they have their health.

One thing seems certain: The injury bug seems to be catching up with everyone else. Whatever swept through the Jazz in the early- and mid-season has passed on to others. Lakers' center Andrew Bynum is out until mid-April — essentially the season's end — with a knee injury. Houston played Wednesday's game without All-Star Tracy McGrady, out for the year with a knee injury of his own. The Rockets were also playing without guard Rafer Alston, who left in a recent trade.

Despite the changes, the Rockets have won eight of 11 games.

"They're still a very good team, even with (McGrady) being out," Jazz coach Jerry Sloan said.