Utah Jazz power forward Paul Millsap (24) dunks the ball over New Orleans Hornets power forward Gustavo Ayon (15) in the second half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Monday, Feb. 13, 2012. The Hornets won their fifth game this season 86-80.(AP Photo/Jonathan Bachman)
Jonathan Bachman, AP
NEW ORLEANS — The Utah Jazz will try to reverse their ways tonight against the New Orleans Hornets.
The Jazz dropped a last-second game to the Hornets, 88-86, in their road-opener on Nov. 2. Since that third loss in a row in New Orleans, Utah (8-7) has only won two of eight away games to bring a 2-7 road record into this rematch.
Some quick shots from shootaround:
— Starting point guard Mo Williams (sprained right forefoot) and backup forward DeMarre Carroll (bruised left shoulder) are game-time decisions.
Corbin didn't sound too positive about Williams playing, though. Williams was at shootaround and was doing dribbling drills when media was allowed to enter.
"He's getting better, but I don't know about tonight. We'll see," Corbin said. "He's trying to see if he can go, but we'll see how it goes."
Jamaal Tinsley would start again if Williams is held out until the Jazz play at Oklahoma City on Friday. Earl Watson is also available, having played well in stints since returning from his seven-month knee-surgery absence.
"We're in good shape," Corbin said of the point-guard situation. "So we don't want to take a chance with it and bring him back too soon if we don't have to and take a risk of him getting injured further."
— That last two-point loss still weighs on Corbin's mind, he admitted. "In a big way."
Ryan Anderson hit five 3-pointers and scored 19 points for the Hornets, who won despite the second-half absence of No. 1 pick Anthony Davis (concussion symptoms).
"We thought we let one get a way. You've got to give these guys credit. They're going to play hard," Corbin said of the 4-9 Hornets. "They know who they are. They execute the offense extremely hard. On the defensive end, they're a disciplined team that's going to be in the right position most of the time."
— Corbin said the Jazz will try to get the pace in their favor tonight after only scoring 86 points here earlier this month. Utah averages 98.9 points compared to New Orleans' usual offensive output of 94.5.
"We want to pick it up a little bit more," he said. "Be smart about the pace of being in an up-tempo game and then make them play against our half-court sets today.”
— Corbin has been battling a virus the past few days, but it's taken a turn toward good health as noticed by an improved look and an absence of mid-interview coughing bouts.
"I feel a lot better," he said. "The last couple of days was pretty tough."
— Hornets' injuries: Anthony Davis — doubtful (stress reaction, left ankle); Eric Gordon — out (sore right knee).
— The game tips off at 6 p.m. MT and will be televised on ROOT Sports.
EMAIL: jody@desnews.com TWITTER: DJJazzyJody
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@ plyxply
Your a glass half full kinda guy right ?
I remember a long, long time ago when the Jazz were actually a viable contender every year in the NBA. They had two legitimate superstars, a great coach, and great ownership, and it seemed every year they at least had a chance to win a bunch of More..