Utah Jazz will try to build off encouraging road loss in Boston

Philadelphia • The Jazz finally did it. In Tyrone Corbin's mind, his team on Wednesday played the complete game he has been clamoring for.

"I don't think we had a lull there against them," Corbin said. "They're a good team. If you have lulls against them they make you pay."

The problem was that the Jazz lost, 98-93 to fall to 1-5 on the road and 4-5 overall. They are looking to build off that encouraging, but disappointing performance Friday in Philadelphia, where they take on the 76ers at 5 p.m. Mountain on ESPN and ROOT Sports.

Mo Williams, who took Wednesday's loss especially hard after missing three shots in the final minute that would have tied the game or given the Jazz the lead, said he and the team had moved on.

"When I woke up," Williams said, "I was good. The next day I was good."

The Jazz will still be without point guard Earl Watson, who despite being medically cleared to play following April knee surgery is continuing to build his timing and integrate with the team.

"He's coming along," Corbin said, "but we're still working to get him more comfortable."

The 76ers are coming off a surprising loss Wednesday to previously winless Detroit.

One thing that may change for the Jazz in Friday's contest is his use of the "big" lineup of Al Jefferson, Derrick Favors and Paul Millsap at small forward. Corbin played each of those guys more than 30 minutes each of the last two games, but may go away from it against the Sixers, who present a smaller lineup and therefore tougher matchups for Millsap on the perimeter.

"It's a difficult thing for [Millsap]," Corbin said, "because his natural instinct is a 'four' man. As much as he can play different spots, he's a four."

Rather than make a strong statement that the big lineup is a permanent change for the Jazz, Corbin maintained he will use it when its dictated by matchups.

"If I feel good about us imposing our will on the other team it works better for us," Corbin said. "If it's going to put us at a disadvantage every night it won't be the best thing for us."

boram@sltrib.com

Twitter: @oramb