Utah Jazz notes: Favors hopes to play against Wizards

Jazz center Derrick Favors continues to improve from a abductor strain injury, but his availability Saturday night against Washington remains a game-time decision.

"I feel a lot better," Favors said before practice on Friday morning. "I've done lots of therapy with it."

Favors was injured 45 seconds into the Jazz's 110-89 victory at Detroit on Jan. 17.

On Utah's first possession, he took a pass from Trey Burke and dunked. But he landed "kind of awkward."

Favors continued to play, finishing with eight points and 11 rebounds in 21 minutes. He also played 28 minutes in a back-to-back game at Minnesota before sitting out Tuesday night's 112-97 loss in a rematch with the Timberwolves.

"It still kind of hurts when I try to move sideways — when I defensive slide," said Favors, who remains hopeful he will play against the Wizards.

Weary Wizards?

While the Jazz haven't played since Tuesday night, Washington comes to Utah for its third game in four nights.

After winning at Phoenix on Friday night, the Wizards are 21-21 — good enough to put them in the race for home-court advantage in the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs.

"Tough team," said Jazz coach Tyrone Corbin. "Really good perimeter shooters and they are playing well right now. ... They are going to push the pace."

Washington is led by point guard John Wall who, according to Corbin, "will be coming downhill against us. We have to make sure we get back [on defense] and don't let him get on top of the basket."

Kind words for'Hot Rod'

Former Jazz broadcaster Rod Hundley, 79, is suffering from "moderate" Alzheimer's.

Corbin's reaction?

"It's sad," he said. "But we're praying he continues to fight and life will be as good as can be for him."

luhm@sltrib.com