NBA: Jamaal Tinsley gets his chance, helps Jazz beat Bucks

Jamaal Tinsley played less than seven minutes Tuesday night.

He did not score.

He had one assist.

The lack of statistics notwithstanding, Tinsley's play in the Jazz's 85-73 victory over Milwaukee at EnergySolutions Arena is exactly why Utah general manager Kevin O'Connor rolled the dice and signed the veteran point guard before the start of the season.

With starter Devin Harris in the locker room nursing a strained calf and Earl Watson needing a rest, coach Tyrone Corbin turned to Tinsley.

When he entered the game late in the third quarter, the Jazz owned a 61-55 lead.

When he returned to the bench with 6:23 remaining in the game, Milwaukee trailed, 71-61.

On the Jazz's last five possessions with Tinsley at quarterback, they converted four times.

Corbin noticed, of course, and appreciated the effort in a ragged game marked by limited offensive execution and long stretches in which both teams struggled to score.

Tinsley "has been a tremendous pro since he's been here, man," Corbin said. "He's been doing everything to stay in shape. He's been talking to the guys. He's picking up the stuff on the floor. He knows how to play once he gets in the game and, tonight, he went out and executed."

After playing only 16 minutes in the Jazz's first five games, Tinsley played 6:51 against the Bucks.

Defensively, he was matched against Milwaukee's high-scoring Brandon Jennings, who managed only two points on 1-for-4 shooting while Tinsley was in the game.

"A couple of our guys got a little banged up," said C.J. Miles. " … It gave a chance for some other guys to [get] some minutes and they stepped up."