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Jazz hope for return of Williams vs. Trail Blazers

Nov 5, 2008 - 2:56 PM Portland (1-2) at Utah (3-0) 9:00 p.m. EST

SALT LAKE CITY (Ticker) -- Whether or not Deron Williams returns to action Wednesday is up in the air, but the ability of the Utah Jazz to win games without their star point guard is evident.

Utah will look to open its season with a fourth consecutive win - with or without their floor general - when they host the Portland Trail Blazers.

After squeaking out a 98-94 win over Denver in their season opener, the Jazz cruised to a home-and-home sweep of the Los Angeles Clippers.

In the absence of Williams, third-year guard Ronnie Price has filled in admirably, averaging 5.7 assists per game while totaling just five turnovers in three contests.

Two-time All-Star Carlos Boozer collected just 13 points and eight rebounds in Monday's win over Utah after posting double-doubles in each of Utah's first two games.

Reserve forward Paul Millsap picked up most of the slack with 24 points and nine rebounds, including 14 straight for the Jazz in the fourth quarter.

The Trail Blazers were unable to build on their first win of the season, a 100-99 triumph over San Antonio, as they dropped a 107-96 decision in Phoenix on Saturday.

Brandon Roy and Rudy Fernandez scored 20 apiece for Portland, which has been outrebounded in every game this season.