Preview: So who expected this? The Jazz last season lost legend Jerry Sloan and star guard Deron Williams, and new coach Ty Corbin -- yes, one of the original Timberwolves -- still has them 9-5 and headed at this early stage toward the playoffs. Wolves fans, take note: Your team gets the Jazz's first-round pick from the July 2010 Al Jefferson trade, IF Utah reaches the playoffs. Otherwise, the Wolves will have no pick in what is expected to be one of the strongest drafts recently because the Wolves traded their own away long ago. ... The Jazz's record is partly explained by this: Utah has played nine of its first 14 (and 11 of first 16 eventually) at home, where it lost to Dallas 94-91 on Thursday night.

Players to watch: The Jazz roster is filled with promising young players, but two of the relative graybeards are leading the way: Jefferson is averaging 19.4 points and 9.4 rebounds in January and veteran forward Paul Millsap has doubled his scoring average the past six games from the season's first eight. He's averaging 21.3 and shooting 58.1 percent and has double-doubles in three of his past four.

Did you know? Utah rookie center Enes Kanter, a player the Wolves considered selecting with the No. 2 overall pick, is averaging 14 minutes, 4.6 points and 5.3 rebounds a game.

Injuries: Wolves F Michael Beasley (sprained foot) and G Malcolm Lee (knee surgery) are out. G Martell Webster (back surgery) and C Brad Miller (knee surgery) are traveling with the team but are not expected to make their season debuts just yet. The Jazz, oddly in this demanding season, report no injuries.

JERRY ZGODA