Utah Jazz: Big Al 'doubtful,' Mo 'out,' Corbin defensive

CLEVELAND — After Tuesday's practice, the Utah Jazz listed starting center Al Jefferson as "doubtful" and Mo Williams as "out" for tonight's game against the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Though it's not a term the team would use to describe their coach, Tyrone Corbin could be listed as "defensive."

And the Jazz's starting lineup?

Definitely questionable.

The day after losing a tough 109-108 overtime game in Milwaukee, Corbin was asked for further clarification as to why he didn't reinsert temporary starting center Derrick Favors into the game in the fourth quarter and the extra session.

Favors had played the game of his NBA life, totaling 23 points and 15 rebounds in 30 brilliant minutes.

Corbin, as he often does when asked questions about lineup moves, offered a curt and somewhat feisty response to beat writers participating in a phone interview from the Milwaukee airport.

"We liked the way it was going on the floor," Corbin said. "I made the decision."

The decision almost paid off, as Enes Kanter (18 points, 10 rebounds) had another big game while helping the Jazz rally out of a 10-point deficit at the beginning of the period.

The Bucks, however, forced overtime on Brandon Jenning's late game-tying 3-pointer and then edged the Jazz in the extra session thanks to defensive breakdowns that gave JJ Redick a couple of open looks on deep daggers.

Corbin said "practice was great" on Tuesday, but an understandable gut-wrenching feeling remained prevalent the morning after the Milwaukee stumble. The Jazz have three games left on this pivotal Eastern road trip, which concludes this weekend with back-to-back games in Chicago (Friday) and New York (Saturday).

"Everybody was disappointed in the loss last night," Corbin said.

One major source of disappointment was how the Jazz had three starters go scoreless for the second time in five games. Earl Watson, Randy Foye and Marvin Williams provided zero offense while missing a combined 15 shots.

"It is a concern. We have to get scoring," Corbin said. "We need a better flow with that first group."

Corbin admitted he's considering making further changes (again), but he wouldn't divulge what those might be. Last week, he put Watson into the starting lineup for Jamaal Tinsley after the Jazz's most recent game in which three starters (Tinsley, Foye and Marvin Williams) went scoreless in a loss to the Clippers.

Watson (2.0 ppg, 30.6 percent) and Williams (7.8 ppg, 41.0 percent) are having the worst offensive seasons of their NBA careers. Foye, meanwhile, has struggled in the past 10 games, shooting just 30.7 percent from the field while averaging 8.4 points.

"We'll see what gives us the best chance," Corbin said. "We may change a little bit and see what help us."

While his team needs more offense from those three starters — or at least some offense — Corbin is trying to be an understanding coach. The former player knows how guys can lose their shot and confidence at points in the season, and he's patiently hopeful the scoring spark will be relit soon.

"They've had good looks ... good shots," he said. "You go through spans like that through the season. We've just got to get better."

Still, getting another offensive weapon back — and their quickest player — would be a big boost when the team readjusts to Williams. And the Jazz coach isn't ruling out his return, either, despite his official listing.