Utah Jazz: Boozer and Williams making a case for all-star selections

PORTLAND, Ore. — One, power forward Carlos Boozer, is quite anxious to go. The other, point guard Deron Williams, claims to no longer care.

Either way, both will know by Thursday night's selection show on TNT if they've been selected to play in the Feb. 14 NBA All-Star Game.

Until then, it's a waiting game for the Jazz's marquee pair.

"I think we deserve (two)," Boozer said Tuesday.

"I think we do (too)," Williams added. "But, you know, it's up to the coaches."

And no matter what they do in tonight's visit with the Portland Trail Blazers, it won't impact — either way — the opinion Western Conference coaches have of the two when it comes to casting votes for All-Star Game reserves.

That's because ballots were due Tuesday afternoon, and some even were turned in days ago.

But for those who held off until the deadline, Williams and two-time All-Star Boozer — both arguably bubble candidates for the showcase game in Texas — made a quite-favorable impression.

When they woke up Tuesday morning, the Jazz were fourth in the tightly packed West, just percentage points ahead of the Trail Blazers but worlds better than the 10th spot in which they sat not long ago.

Fresh off a come-from-behind victory over playoff-contending Phoenix on Monday, Utah has won three straight and seven of its last eight games — including quality wins as well over Dallas, Miami, Cleveland and San Antonio.

Boozer had a 21-point, 20-rebound performance against the Suns — his 29th double of the season. It is the third-highest total for all NBA players behind only Eastern Conference stars Dwight Howard and Chris Bosh.

He's averaging 24.7 points during the current win streak, a team-high 19.4 on the season, and his 10.8 boards-per-game average ranked eighth in the NBA on Tuesday.

Williams, meanwhile, had 18 points and 11 assists vs. Phoenix — his 19th double-double this season.

He's averaging 18.9 points, and his 9.6 assists per game ranked fourth Tuesday among league leaders behind Chris Paul of New Orleans, Phoenix's Steve Nash and East-leader Rajon Rondo of Boston.

"I think we (both) have a good chance being fourth in the West, and playing consistently every night, and playing well for our team," Boozer said. "Especially where we came from. We came from out of the playoffs to get where we are now, so hopefully we're deserving enough."