D-Will's advice to W-Matt?

Deron Williams apparently won’t have much playoff advice to dish out to Wesley Matthews to prepare the rookie for his first postseason experience tonight against the Denver Nuggets.

“He’ll figure it out,” Williams said at Saturday’s shootaround, “just like we did.”

The Jazz made it to the Western Conference Finals in Williams’ first postseason, which came at the end of his second NBA season. They only hope Matthews figures it out as well.

We’ll assume his non-advice advice to rookies Sundiata Gaines and Othyus Jeffers is the same.

When asked in a follow-up question about the playoffs being different than the regular season, the Jazz point guard begged to differ.

“No, it’s just basketball,” he said. “It’s the same thing, just win or go home.”

Hmmm … win or go home? Think he’s been watching TNT much?

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At 6-foot-3, 207 pounds, Williams often has the size advantage over opposing point guards.
That won’t be the case in Game 1.

After shootaround Saturday, Denver acting head coach Adrian Dantley confirmed what the Jazz are expecting – the Nuggets will stick 6-foot-5 defensive stopper Arron Afflalo on Williams to begin the first-round series.

Denver obviously hopes to disrupt Utah’s offense by pestering Williams with a lengthy defender.

Meanwhile, Denver point guard Chauncey Billups, also 6-3, will match up with Matthews.

“It doesn’t change my mindset,” Williams said. “That’s their game plan, probably keep Chauncey out of foul trouble, so that’s smart on their part.”

Williams doesn’t appear to be worried about the match-up too much, though. He’s getting used to having bigger guys guard him.

“It doesn’t bother me at all,” he added.

Williams might also have his hands full when backup point Ty Lawson brings his energy into the game. The 5-foot-11 rookie averaged 19 points in four games against Utah, which was 11 points above his season average.

“He’s played well against us … he’s played great,” Williams said. “He’s a great young point guard.”

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Busy building: The Pepsi Center hosted a professional lacrosse game on Friday night featuring the local Mammoth squad. The Jazz play the Nuggets there tonight. The Colorado Avalanche face off against the San Jose Sharks in Game 3 of their series there on Sunday night. And the Jazz and Nuggets play again at the PC on Monday.