Sickness taking its toll on Jazz

Portland, Ore. • If the Utah Jazz extend their winning streak to three games Friday against the Trail Blazers and move back into eighth in the Western Conference, it's unlikely they'll be able to resist sharing high fives.

But Randy Foye has a plea for his teammates.

"Stop shaking hands," he said.

Foye played through a "24-hour" illness in Wednesday's win over the Phoenix Suns, and Paul Millsap missed practice Thursday due to a similar sickness.

"I must have ate something or got it from one of my daughters," Foye said. "If [Millsap] was struggling yesterday, I hope I didn't start nothing. He looked pretty good today, he got up and down."

Both players are expected to start against Portland, but the team (36-36) realizes this is not the time to be sharing germs. The Los Angeles Lakers (37-36) lost their fourth straight game Thursday, 113-102 in Milwaukee, putting the Jazz ½ game behind their rivals. Meanwhile, Dallas (35-37) lost 103-78 to Indiana, falling a full game behind the Jazz.

So when it comes to routines, coach Tyrone Corbin said players need to be a "little more careful."

"Guys are guys, man," Corbin said. "Using the same towels and that stuff. And it's so close in proximity, a guy throw a towel down, a guy tends to pick it up. It happens."

Portland (33-38) has tried to wedge its way into the playoff race, but those hopes are all but dead. All-Star power forward LaMarcus Aldridge is doubtful against the Jazz after spraining his wrist Wednesday against Brooklyn and not participating in the Blazers' Friday shoot around.

The Jazz are minus Enes Kanter due to a dislocated left shoulder, an injury he suffered in the second quarter against the Suns. Kanter's indefinite absence could mean more time for forward Jeremy Evans.

boram@sltrib.com

Twitter: @tribjazz