Harris has 27 in Jazz's 112-91 win over Blazers

[April 19, 2012]  PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) -- Devin Harris had 27 points, including a career-high six 3-pointers, and the Utah Jazz continued to jockey for a playoff spot with a 112-91 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers on Wednesday night.

The Jazz, with just three games to play, are locked in a battle for the remaining playoff spots in the Western Conference with Houston, Phoenix, Dallas and Denver.

Gordon Hayward added 23 points for the Jazz, who led by as many as 31 points. Al Jefferson had 11 points and 10 rebounds for his team-high 29th double-double this season.

Wesley Matthews had 21 points for the Blazers, who had already been eliminated from the playoffs.

Midway through the final quarter Utah's Derrick Favors and DeMarre Carroll bumped heads. Carroll stayed prone on the court for several moments after the collision, but walked to the bench. The nature of the injury was not immediately known.

Utah was coming off a 123-121 triple-overtime win over Dallas on Monday night. Earlier Wednesday, the NBA fined Delonte West $25,000 for jabbing his finger into Hayward's ear during the game. The league called the action a "physical taunt."

Utah finishes the season with games at home against Orlando, Phoenix and the Blazers.

It was the home finale for the Blazers, who have had a turbulent season that started with the surprise retirement of All-Star Brandon Roy and included the dismissal of popular coach Nate McMillan at the trade deadline.

The Blazers, playing under interim head coach Kaleb Canales, were formally eliminated from the playoffs after a 125-107 loss to Phoenix on Monday.

Portland was playing without starters Joel Przybilla (bronchitis) and Raymond Felton (right Achilles). The Blazers also sat shooter Jamal Crawford.

Last week, Portland shut down LaMarcus Aldridge for the rest of the season with a right hip injury. The All-Star forward will have arthroscopic surgery in the coming weeks.

Portland started Hasheem Thabeet at center and rookie Nolan Smith at guard. Smith, J.J. Hickson and Luke Babbitt had 16 points each for the Blazers.

The Jazz led by as many as 11 points in the first quarter but Portland closed the gap to 32-30 in the second on Nicolas Batum's dunk. It was as close as the Blazers would get, and the Jazz went on to lead 57-39 at halftime.

Harris had all six of his 3-pointers and 25 points in the first half.

Paul Millsap's driving layup made it 68-45 midway through the third quarter. Alec Burks' jumper put the Jazz up 92-68 with 8:52 left in the game.

"This is where we want to be. We've got a great chance of making the playoffs and we want to take advantage of it," Jazz coach Tyrone Corbin said.

NOTES: Canales, who has never lacked for enthusiasm, addressed the crowd before the game, punctuating his thanks with a "Go Blazers!" and a raised fist. Canales started with the team as an unpaid intern in 2004. ... Seattle Seahawks coach Pete Carroll attended the game with Blazers owner Paul Allen, who also owns the NFL team. ... Portland has made at least six 3-pointers in 20 consecutive games, tying the franchise record set in 2008.

[Associated Press; By ANNE M. PETERSON]

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