Without Boozer, AK, Jazz lose to Hornets 94-83

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By JEFF LATZKE AP Sports Writer

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- Bobby Jackson scored 21 points and the New Orleans Hornets beat Utah 94-83 Saturday night as injuries started to pile up for the Jazz.

Already playing without forward Andrei Kirilenko (sprained right ankle), the Jazz lost leading scorer Carlos Boozer to a bruised left knee in the first quarter. He knocked knees with New Orleans' Tyson Chandler as Chandler went up to catch a lob with 8:11 left in the first quarter and did not return.

Without the duo, the Jazz lacked the firepower to get close to their 102.6-point average and trailed throughout the game.

Desmond Mason added 20 points, Devin Brown scored 13 and David West had 11 for the Hornets, who have won their last five home games. Chandler grabbed 15 rebounds and matched his career high with seven blocks as the Hornets had a season-high 11 blocked shots.

The Hornets, who also won Friday night in New Orleans, continue a five-game, two-city homestand with three more games in Oklahoma City this week.

Deron Williams led Utah with 27 points. Paul Millsap had 15 points and a career-high 17 rebounds, Derek Fisher scored 14 points and Mehmet Okur had 11.

The Jazz used a 9-2 run to get within 80-74 on Williams' driving layup, but Rasual Butler answered with a 3-pointer for New Orleans and the lead was back at 11 after Jackson's 3 with 1:45 left.

Jackson added six more free throws down the stretch to keep the Hornets easily in control.

Utah backup center Jarron Collins left in the second quarter to get five stitches on his upper lip, but returned after halftime.

The Hornets scored eight straight points to take an 18-8 lead on West's layup off an offensive rebound and nifty pass from Chandler, and New Orleans led by as many as 11 before taking a 41-34 lead into halftime.

Utah closed to 46-44 when Millsap finished a 10-3 run with a layup at the right block, but the Hornets charged back with seven straight points -- including five from West.

It was never closer than six after that.

A six-point burst, capped by Jackson's runner in the lane, gave the Hornets a 67-55 lead at the end of the third quarter.

Notes:@ Hornets G Chris Paul, out the past month with a sprained right ankle, is expected to return to practice on Tuesday. ... Utah coach Jerry Sloan had no prognosis for when Kirilenko might return. ... The Jazz were the first team to benefit from the Ford Center's newly upgraded visitors locker rooms. The home locker room was redone earlier in the season. ... The Hornets were swept the last time they played four consecutive games in Oklahoma City.