Jazz coach Jerry Sloan suggested again Friday that Almond would take C.J. Miles' starting spot after Miles suffered a moderately sprained right ankle in the third quarter of Wednesday's victory over New Orleans. Miles is doubtful to play against the Pistons.

"I don't have a problem starting a guy that hasn't played," Jazz coach Jerry Sloan said, adding, "He's playing a lot harder here in practice, and that's one of the things he had to work on."

Talking about the leap from the inactive list to the starting five, Almond said: "I'm getting used to it. That's how quick things change in this league, so you've just got to make sure you stay ready."

Almond previously started the Jazz's Dec. 13 loss to Orlando and scored five points but shot only 2 of 8. He said of the opportunity to start: "They don't come around often, but they come and you've just got to make the most of it."

Deron Williams, meanwhile, stayed home sick from Friday's practice with a sinus infection. He is expected to play against Detroit, a team he never has lost to in his NBA career.

The Jazz also were waiting Friday for the results from Carlos Boozer's arthroscopic left knee surgery. Boozer was scheduled to undergo surgery at 1 p.m. MST in Los Angeles.

rsiler@sltrib.com