Posted Jan 30 2012 8:47PM
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) -- Utah Jazz center Al Jefferson and guard Raja Bell are sitting out against the Portland Trail Blazers because of injury.
Small forward Josh Howard, acquired as free agent after the NBA lockout ended, was set to make his first start Monday night for the Jazz.
Gordon Hayward moves from small forward to shooting guard in place of Bell, and second-year pro Derrick Favors starts in place of Jefferson. It is Favors' fifth start this season.
Jefferson, bothered by inflammation in his right ankle, leads the Jazz in scoring at 17.9 points per game and is second in rebounding with a 9.0 average.
Bell had started every game this season but strained his right adductor Saturday against Sacramento. He is averaging 5.9 points and 1.4 rebounds a game.
Howard has averaged 8.9 points and 2.9 rebounds off the bench.
 | Postgame: Elton Brand Elton Brand feels the momentum changed in the pivotal third quarter when the Sixers regained the lead. |
 | Sixers/Celtics Game 7 Preview The GameTime crew previews the Game 7 matchup between the Philadelphia 76ers and the Boston Celtics. |
 | Iverson on GameTime Allen Iverson joins the GameTime crew via telephone after attending Game 6 between the Celtics and Sixers. |
 | Arena Link: Elton Brand Sixers forward Elton Brand joins GameTime after the Sixers force Game 7 against the Celtics. |
 | Postgame: Doc Rivers Doc Rivers says Game 7 will come down to which team makes their shots. |
Copyright © NBA Media Ventures, LLC. All rights reserved. No portion of NBA.com may be duplicated, redistributed or manipulated in any form. By accessing any information beyond this page, you agree to abide by the Privacy Policy / Your California Privacy Rights and Terms of Use. | Ad Choices 
NBA.com is part of Turner Sports Digital, part of the Turner Sports & Entertainment Digital Network.
