Utah Jazz: Rookies had to grow up quickly

In a weekend, two Jazz rookies grew up.

Big-time.

"They're more confident," forward Carlos Boozer said after a four-game Eastern road trip that ended with starting point guard Deron Williams back in Utah tending to an ill child, a win Friday at Philadelphia without him and a loss Saturday in Cleveland.

"It's hard to take positive things out of a loss," Boozer added. "We feel like we should have won. But you can take a couple of things out: Eric Maynor and Wes(ley) Matthews stepped in huge and played great these last two games."

Maynor had a 13-point, 11-assist double-double in his first NBA start Friday, and Matthews scored a season-high 16 points in his, including 3-for-4 3-point shooting.

Maynor followed with a season-high 24 points Saturday, when Matthews had 13, including 3-for-3 from behind the long-distance line for a 4-6 club desperately in need of consistent outside shooting.

"They're unbelievable," forward Andrei Kirilenko said. "They really step up. All I can wish (for) them before the season is 'Don't be afraid to play.' That's how they play. When they're not afraid to play, they're unbelievable."

Hard as it may be to fathom in a Jazz world where rookies generally are to be seen but not heard, the two — point guard Maynor, a first-round draft choice from Virginia Commonwealth, and Matthews, an undrafted swingman out of Marquette, even seem to have won the faith of Jazz coach Jerry Sloan.

"That's what happens," Sloan said. "Guys get a chance to play.

"You know, I put Eric in the game earlier (this season) — and it probably cost him a little bit because... things didn't go well for him. But now he got a chance to play some minutes and show what he can do.

"So, at least you have a chance for these guys to grow and get better," he added. "It gives us another opportunity to make a change if we have to."

Which means it should be interesting whenever backup point Ronnie Price is ready to return from a sprained left big toe, which could happen as soon as Wednesday night's home game against Toronto.

The Jazz are off until then. Williams may be back Wednesday too.

"I'll have a lot more (trust in Maynor)," Sloan said, "because I hadn't seen him play except in practice and that sort of thing.

"But Ronnie Price gets hurt, and that's what happens."