After a rough start to the 2009-10 campaign, the Utah Jazz (6-6) is riding its first two-game winning streak of the season and appears to have gotten back on track. A 90-83 win over the Spurs Thursday night — Utah's first win in San Antonio since February of 1999 — has given Jerry Sloan's squad renewed confidence heading into a season-high six-game homestand — a homestand that couldn't come at a better time.

So far this season, Utah has been forced to battle its fair share of injuries along with some self-inflicted wounds, namely poor defense and rebounding. The low point was a 19-point loss in Boston that dropped Utah's record to 3-5. Afterward, star point guard Deron Williams called his team out for playing a "soft" brand of basketball.

Fortunately for Utah, the comments seemed to resonate. Two nights later in Philadelphia, while playing without Williams who was tending to a health issue concerning his daughter, Utah responded with a 22-point win over the Sixers; the next night in Cleveland, the Jazz kept the energy in a narrow four-point loss to the Cavs. A home win over Toronto came next, followed by Thursday's win against the Spurs — Utah's second win over San Antonio this season.

Along with Williams — who was back on the court for the Toronto game — Carlos Boozer has been the catalyst for Utah's offense. He is averaging 18.0 points and 11.4 rebounds per game, while giving his team the back-to-the-basket post presence it lacked last season when he missed 45 regular season games with a knee injury. He currently ranks second in the NBA with nine double-doubles this season.

Boozer's contract situation remains an issue, however. He opted in for the final year of his contract with Utah in the offseason, but there were daily rumors that he was set to be shipped off to Chicago or Miami, and Boozer's public comments only served to fan those flames. The chance remains that he'll be dealt before February's trade deadline, but his on-the-court contribution, along with that of his primary backup, Paul Millsap, has given the Jazz a lift.

A big reason for Utah's slow start has been injuries. C.J. Miles (thumb), Kyle Korver (knee) and Matt Harpring (ankle) have yet to suit up this season, while Mehmet Okur (various ailments) and Ronnie Price (toe) have also been forced from the lineup recently.

There have been other shake-ups as well.

After starting the first eight games of the season, Andrei Kirilenko is now coming off of the bench. He's in the game in the fourth quarter when it counts, of course, but Sloan has used the "demotion" to try to light a fire under Kirilenko — a three-time member of either the NBA's All-Defensive first or second team — whose defense has been questioned by the 65-year-old coach.

Wesley Matthews, a rookie from Marquette, has started the last four games for Utah in Kirilenko's place. He and fellow first-year man Eric Maynor have contributed solid minutes thus far. Maynor, while starting for Williams during his two-game absence, averaged 18.5 points and 7.5 assists. He and Williams are now sharing the same backcourt from time to time, and it's helped to free up Williams' shot.

Along with upstart Oklahoma City, Utah currently sits two-and-a-half games back of co-Northwest Division leaders Denver and Portland. With six straight games at EnergySolutions Arena, where Utah was 33-8 last season, the immediate future looks bright for the Jazz.

News from around the league

Pau Gasol made his season debut and led the Lakers with 24 points, writes Mike Bresnahan.

Howard Beck says it appears Allen Iverson will not be suiting up for the New York Knicks this season.

Mike Dunleavy is on the hot seat in L.A., but he says he deserves the chance to compete with a healthy Clippers roster, write Lisa Dillman and Mark Medina.

Already without Michael Redd, the Bucks could be without center Andrew Bogut for two-to-four weeks, reports Charles F. Gardner.

Chris Bosh is putting up strong numbers and looking to earn respect, writes Doug Smith.

The Suns didn't quite look ready for prime time last night in a 121-102 loss to the L.A. Lakers. Phoenix (8-2) entered Thursday's tilt at Staples Center winners of four in a row and was coming off of its best performance of the season one night before in a 124-104 home win over New Orleans.

The loss might best be blamed on the lack of preparedness for a game against the defending champs on their home court, but the Suns are going to have to find a way to bounce back if they hope to dethrone the Lakers in the West.

Still, a record eight wins in the first 10 games — including a 5-2 road record — bodes well for a team looking to make it back to the postseason after missing the boat last year.

The Lakers (7-1), on the other hand, have jumped out of the starting gate with notable wins over the Hawks, Rockets and now the Suns. Kobe Bryant, who scored 29 points against Phoenix, is leading the league in scoring with 33.0 points per game. He's also led his team in scoring in each of its first eight games.

Tonight brings a trip to Denver for a rematch of last season's Western Conference Finals. Then, beginning with Houston's trip to Staples Center on Sunday, the Lakers kick off a stretch where 11 of their next 12 games will be played in front of the home crowd.

News from around the league

LeBron James says he will honor Michael Jordan by changing his jersey number next season.

Michael Wilbon suggests the Cleveland Cavaliers might be the best fit for Allen Iverson.

Chris Paul is unhappy about Byron Scott's firing nine games into the season.

The Hawks visit Boston tonight, and they need to win it from a psychological standpoint writes Mark Bradley.

Monta Ellis and Don Nelson got into it on Thursday after practice, the latest in a series of disruptions for the Warriors.