It was his first back after missing the season's first six with a sprained left ankle sustained in the preseason, and Miller - the University of Utah product - took it too him.

Understandably, too.

"If I see somebody hurt, I'm going to take advantage of him too," Williams said. "That's just part of the game."

The Jazz won that November outing, but Miller scored 25 while Williams -- who would play just one more game before sitting out another six because of the ankle -- hit just 1-for-8 from the field.

On Monday night, Williams was the one making sure Miller wouldn't forget.

The Jazz point scored a game-high 27 points, shot 11-for-18, dished six assists and looked much like his full-health self as Utah closed 2008 by beating Philadelphia 112-95 at sold-out EnergySolutions Arena.

Miller, meanwhile, scored just 13 before fouling out for the first time since the 2006-07 season.

"I feel a lot better today," said Williams, who also had been bothered in the past couple weeks by a strained right calf and a bruise near his right knee. "Stopped hurting a little bit, a little bit more energetic.

"A day of rest (Sunday), I think, helped," he added. "It's probably the first time all season I've felt 100 percent, or close to it."

With starting center Mehmet Okur back from back troubles but the Jazz still missing All-Star power forward Carlos Boozer and replacement-starter Paul Millsap due to their knee injuries -- Boozer missing his 21st consecutive game, Millsap his third straight -- the Jazz sure needed what they got from all.

Andrei Kirilenko, starting again at power forward, delivered not only a 16-point, 13-rebound double-double, but also three blocks and three steals.

Okur, playing at what he said was about "75 percent," shot 7-of-14 while producing his 10th double-double of the season with 19 points and 10 boards.

C.J. Miles scored 14, ex-Sixer Kyle Korver scored 12 off the bench and an ill Ronnie Brewer chipped in eight as the Jazz - playing their third game in four nights, but off now now visiting the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday - improved to 19-14.

But it was the showing by Williams - who hit 4-of-6 from 3-point range, one off his career high for made treys - that trumped all.

"He looked so much more alive, and he looked healthier than I've seen him since he's been back," Jazz coach Jerry Sloan said.

"You know, he's got a lot more bounce in him, it looks like, than he had. And that's great to see, because we certainly need everything he's able to give us."

Teammates concurred, though at least two contend they still haven't seen the real-deal Williams.

"He hasn't been healthy yet, really," Korver said. "He's trying to fight through it. He's played well, but he hasn't been the old Deron yet. And we all know that. He still wasn't tonight, and still was able to do that."

"I know for myself, it's hard to get back after injuries. It's always like something's wrong, something's bothered," Kirilenko added. "But tonight he was tremendous, and game by game he's getting better and better."

Even those with the 12-18 Sixers -- who themselves were without star power forward Elton Brand (dislocated shoulder) -- didn't leave town without a tip of the cap.

"Last time we played he was hurt," forward Reggie Evans said.

"(This time) he did what a franchise player should do."

Williams had 14 of his 27 at the break, when the Jazz led 51-43 thanks to a 13-4 spurt to close the opening half. The run included nine points by Williams - three layups, and a 3-pointer with 8.3 seconds left in the half.

Utah led throughout the third quarter and twice extended its advantage to 20 points in the fourth, once when rookie big man Kosta Koufos put back his own miss to make it 86-66 and again when a Miles layup made it 103-83 with 2:57 remaining.

What pleased Sloan even more than the comfy late lead, though, was how it came about.

"Most of the shots (Williams) got," he said, "were out of our offense."

"I've said it all season: When we execute, we're successful,"

Williams added. "We've got to realize that - that we can't just do it 1-on-1, we can't just do it individually."

Even if there is a little individual satisfaction to savor afterward. E-mail: tbuckley@desnews.com