Turkey day a work day for Jazz

SALT LAKE CITY -- Sometimes, working on a holiday just comes with the job.

Doctors, nurses, police officers and firefighters are always on call.

And now, so are the Utah Jazz.

Today, while so much of the country takes the day off to enjoy a turkey dinner with all the fixings, the Jazz will be working.

They'll go through a regular morning shoot-around, then head back home for a nap -- probably about the same time everyone else is. But for them, instead of settling in for another football game, they'll head back to EnergySolutions Arena for a nationally-televised game with the Chicago Bulls.

"It should be fun," said point guard Deron Williams. "A lot of people will be watching, a lot of people will be tuned in. It's a good chance to show the country what we've got."

The Jazz and Bulls are the second game of an NBA doubleheader on the TNT cable network, the only two games that will be played today.

The lead-in game will be Orlando at Atlanta, beginning at 6 p.m. The Jazz and Bulls will square off at approximately 8:30 p.m.

"I'm used to spending that day with my family, but you know, I've got to come in and work," said forward Paul Millsap. "I've got a game and we've just got to be ready for it."

For a few Utah players, today's game requires some juggling. Many of them had their normal Thanksgiving celebrations on Wednesday.

For others, the Thanksgiving holiday is indeed a foreign concept.

Center Mehmet Okur, a native of Turkey, said he didn't have any specific plans for today.

"It's going to be a regular day for me," he said.

Then, noticing he was surrounded by a group of American journalists, Okur offered a holiday greeting.

"Happy Thanksgiving to all you guys," he said.

Later, with a rather wry smile, he added, "Happy Turkey Day."

Of course for most Americans, the fourth Thursday in November means two things: Turkey and football.

Football, not basketball.

Williams said he's one of them.

"That's what I think about when I think about Thanksgiving, too," said the longtime Pittsburgh Steelers fan. "But I think it'll be fun, it'll be good for us."

But Williams insisted he is excited to be a part of tonight's game.

"It should be a fun game to be a part of," he said.