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Injury-plagued Jazz seek revenge against Nets

Dec 17, 2008 - 11:17 AM Utah (15-11) at New Jersey (12-11), 7:30 p.m. EST

EAST RUTHERFORD, New Jersey (Ticker) -- The Utah Jazz have the chance to avenge their biggest loss of the season. However, they may have to do so without two of their star players.

Carlos Boozer and Andrei Kirilenko are both questionable with lingering injuries when the Jazz host the New Jersey Nets on Wednesday.

In their lopsided 105-88 loss at Salt Lake City on November 29, the Jazz were without Boozer, who was inactive while nursing an injured quadriceps. Utah, which suffered its worst home defeat since falling, 126-98, to San Antonio on April 14, 2007, also lost Kirilenko to an ankle injury in the second quarter.

Although Boozer went the majority of practice Tuesday, the All-Star forward is doubtful to play against the Nets, according to the Salt Lake Tribune.

Boozer has missed 14 games since suffering a strained left quadriceps tendon on November 19. In addition, Kirilenko missed practice with a strained upper back muscle and will be a game-time decision.

The Jazz fell in their second straight contest on Monday, a 100-91 loss to the Boston Celtics. Two days prior, they were defeated, 103-94, by the Orlando Magic.

New Jersey snapped a three-game losing streak with a 94-87 victory over the Toronto Raptors on Monday. It had a season-high 54 rebounds, including 18 on the offensive end, and outscored Toronto, 26-2, on second-chance points.

Vince Carter had 20 points and 10 assists one game after scoring a season-high 39 points against the Chicago Bulls in a 113-104 loss. Enjoying a breakout season, point guard Devin Harris chipped in 20 points, and has reached that total in 12 of his 20 games.