The figure skating controversies have faded and the short-track speedskaters have packed up, but the Jazz have one last stop to make before reclaiming the Delta Center for themselves.

Their nine-game, 25-day odyssey -- the longest trip for an NBA team in 24 years -- actually was a two-game trip followed by a six-day All-Star break, then a six-game trip followed by a five-day break.

Now it comes down to one final road game tonight against the Sacramento Kings.

It"s a quick trip, but an important one.

Sacramento owns the best record in the NBA and the Kings have already whipped the Jazz twice this season.

The Jazz, who have actually practiced in their own facility the past two days following a three-day mini-vacation, appeared to have benefitted from their time away from the Delta Center, winning all six games since the All-Star break.

""It"s a character-building trip for us," said Jazz guard John Starks. ""We know what this means to our season.

""We play on the road as a team and it is a month on the road together as a team. Staying on the road keeps you hungry and focused."