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Tuesday night's win over the Los Angeles Lakers won't put Utah in the playoffs. It won't bring back Deron Williams or Jerry Sloan, and it won't erase the depression that's set over the Jazz franchise the last few months.
But it's still an important win — a potential landmark victory for a team in such desperate need of a confidence boost that Paul Millsap admitted to being shocked that his team held on to beat the defending NBA champions.
"I think we surprised ourselves last night," Millsap said.
Going into the last week of the season, Utah spoke Wednesday of building on the win over the Lakers, playing solid basketball for the remainder of the schedule and establishing a foundation heading into the fall.
In the short run, it's simply a win that stopped a lengthy losing streak. In the long term, the Jazz hope the victory is a sign of things to come.
"We needed that win," Utah swingman C.J. Miles said. "It was a win that told us we can play with and beat anyone in the league if we come out and play well. It was a win we needed for our confidence."
And a win that's been a long time coming. The Jazz hadn't defeated the Lakers on the road since 2006, a span of 17 games. So maybe the mental constraints of beating Kobe Bryant and company in Staples Center are now lifted.
Going forward
Jazz coach Ty Corbin wouldn't commit to starting Gordon Hayward for Thursday's game against the Portland Trail Blazers, but did say that his rookie swingman had earned significant minutes. Even if Hayward's in line for a huge bump in playing time, the big lineup featuring Millsap at small forward is working, and Hayward's versatility brings value off the bench. Hayward was the star of the Lakers win with 22 points, six rebounds and five assists. Corbin pointed to Hayward's gradual improvement over the year.
"He's changed his body," Corbin said. "He's been patient, and he's learned the system. Now he's comfortable and he's starting to see some results."
Coming and going
Point guard Devin Harris practiced full tilt Wednesday and will be a game-time decision for Thursday's matchup against Portland. Andrei Kirilenko, Ronnie Price and Kyrylo Fesenko will all be listed as doubtful.