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Parker showcases his growth vs. his double

Column by Buck Harvey

Tony Parker isn’t there yet. He still needs to go to Utah, and maybe to Oklahoma City and Miami, and continue to see the game as clearly as he has.

But he’s close, and Sunday outlined how far he’s come.

There was a time, after all, when Parker and Devin Harris were supposed to be at about the same place.

Now they are back at a familiar one, the playoffs. The last time, in 2006, Harris’ Mavericks eliminated the Spurs in seven games.

Harris smiles at the memories, and he should. “I’ve always played well against the Spurs,” he said.

He did in Game 2 of that series. Thrust into the starting lineup, he outscored Parker and averaged over 20 points when Dallas won three consecutive games.

Parker had his moments, too. He scored more than 24 points three times despite a sore thigh.

Still, he also had only 22 assists over the entire seven games, and this is why it’s always been tricky to measure Parker. His success seems to make his flaws more glaring.

Even when he was a teenage starter, even when he earned All-Star berths, the holes in his game were clear. He was shaky just a year ago, too, in the first-round loss to Memphis.

But he keeps taking steps, and he admitted to one Sunday. Last summer, he said, Gregg Popovich told him he had played harder for the French national team than he had against the Grizzlies.

Parker reacted as he has for a career, finding another way to get better. Harris is unsure if that is true, wondering if the team around Parker is what changed.

But one scout said this Sunday: He can’t remember anyone getting better, year after year, until reaching such a high level when nearly 30 years old.

The game has slowed for Parker now, even as he speeds past defenders. He sees the floor and what should come next, and he did that Sunday afternoon.

He took an inadvertent blow from Harris, then got back up to score 28 points. Parker was relentless, taking advantage of the space his shooters provided, and it was reflective of his season.

When the crowd chanted “MVP, MVP,” it was justified. Parker should finish in the top five, if not top three.

Harris once had the same promise. He was about Parker’s size and his double in quickness. The Spurs saw all of this early; he once scored 20 points in a fourth quarter against them.

Better yet, he could defend Parker. In Game 2 of that 2006 series, Parker had more turnovers (4) than assists (1) and was outscored by Harris.

Little wonder, when the Mavericks eventually traded Harris out of the Western Conference, Parker was relieved. “I’m really happy for that trade,” he said.

The real compliment was the trade itself. There were other pieces involved but, essentially, Harris had gone for Jason Kidd.

Most in the basketball world thought Mark Cuban was crazier than usual for agreeing to the deal. Wasn’t Kidd aging and Harris just beginning?

What has happened since says something else. Kidd helped win a title, and Harris’ career has flatlined. He starred initially with freedom in New Jersey, making an All-Star team once, but he hasn’t come close to what Parker is.

Maybe, as he says about Parker, the makeup of his team has changed him. But another scout questions whether the commitment has been there.

Parker agrees to none of this. He said Sunday that Harris is “the key to their team. He makes them go … I know he’s going to bounce back.”

But that’s the Parker who is almost there. He knows a series can change and that there will be adjustments. And that there’s always another step to take.

bharvey@express-news.net
Twitter: @Buck_SA

Spurs grind Jazz to the brink

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Spurs 102, Jazz 90: Game 3

The Spurs’ Tony Parker looks for room around the Jazz’s Devin Harris as Tim Duncan looks on in the first half of game three of the Western Conference first round at EnergySolutions Arena in Salt Lake City, Saturday, May 5, 2012. Jerry Lara/San Antonio Express-News (Jerry Lara / San Antonio Express-News)

The Spurs’ Danny Green grabs for a rebound against the Jazz’s Al Jefferson during first half action of Game 3 of the Western Conference first round Saturday May 5, 2012 at EnergySolutions Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah. (PHOTO BY EDWARD A. ORNELAS/SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS) (EDWARD A. ORNELAS / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)

The Spurs’ Tim Duncan defends the Jazz’s Paul Millsap during first half action of Game 3 of the Western Conference first round Saturday May 5, 2012 at EnergySolutions Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah. (PHOTO BY EDWARD A. ORNELAS/SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS) (EDWARD A. ORNELAS / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)

Members of the Spurs watch first half action of Game 3 of the Western Conference first round against the Utah Jazz from the bench Saturday May 5, 2012 at EnergySolutions Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah. EDWARD A. ORNELAS/SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS (EDWARD A. ORNELAS / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)

The Spurs’ Stephen Jackson looks for room around the Jazz’s Derrick Favors during first half action of Game 3 of the Western Conference first round Saturday May 5, 2012 at EnergySolutions Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah. EDWARD A. ORNELAS/SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS (EDWARD A. ORNELAS / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)

The Spurs’ Tim Duncan rejects the Jazz’s Paul Millsap in the first half of game three of the Western Conference first round at EnergySolutions Arena in Salt Lake City, Saturday, May 5, 2012. Jerry Lara/San Antonio Express-News (Jerry Lara / San Antonio Express-News)

The Spurs’ DeJuan Blair shoots between the Jazz’s Al Jefferson and Gordon Hayward during first half action of Game 3 of the Western Conference first round Saturday May 5, 2012 at EnergySolutions Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah. EDWARD A. ORNELAS/SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS (EDWARD A. ORNELAS / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)

The Spurs’ Tiago Splitter goes for two as the Jazz’s Al Jefferson tries to stop him in the first half of game three of the Western Conference first round at EnergySolutions Arena in Salt Lake City, Saturday, May 5, 2012. Jerry Lara/San Antonio Express-News (Jerry Lara / San Antonio Express-News)

The Spurs’ Spurs Manu Ginobili shoots around the Jazz’s Al Jefferson during first half action of Game 3 of the Western Conference first round Saturday May 5, 2012 at EnergySolutions Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah. EDWARD A. ORNELAS/SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS (EDWARD A. ORNELAS / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)

The Spurs’ Boris Diaw shoots around the Jazz’s Josh Howard during first half action of Game 3 of the Western Conference first round Saturday May 5, 2012 at EnergySolutions Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah. EDWARD A. ORNELAS/SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS (EDWARD A. ORNELAS / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)

The Spurs’ DeJuan Blair shoots between the Jazz’s Gordon Hayward and Al Jefferson during first half action of Game 3 of the Western Conference first round Saturday May 5, 2012 at EnergySolutions Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah. EDWARD A. ORNELAS/SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS (EDWARD A. ORNELAS / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)

The Spurs’ Boris Diaw and Tim Duncan celebrate as they take a commanding lead during the fourth quarter against the Jazz in game three of the Western Conference first round at EnergySolutions Arena in Salt Lake City, Saturday, May 5, 2012. The Spurs won 102-90 and lead the series 3-0. Jerry Lara/San Antonio Express-News (Jerry Lara / San Antonio Express-News)

The Spurs’ Manu Ginobili celebrates a basket against the Utah Jazz in the second half of game three of the Western Conference first round at EnergySolutions Arena in Salt Lake City, Saturday, May 5, 2012. The Spurs won 102-90 and lead the series 3-0. Jerry Lara/San Antonio Express-News (Jerry Lara / San Antonio Express-News)

FOR SPORTS – San Antonio Spurs Tony Parker passes over Utah Jazz Jamaal Tinsley during second half action of Game 3 of the Western Conference first round Saturday May 5, 2012 at EnergySolutions Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah. The Spurs won 102-90. (PHOTO BY EDWARD A. ORNELAS/SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS) (EDWARD A. ORNELAS / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)

The Spurs’ Spurs Tiago Splitter shoots around the Jazz’s Jamaal Tinsley during second half action of Game 3 of the Western Conference first round Saturday May 5, 2012 at EnergySolutions Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah. The Spurs won 102-90. EDWARD A. ORNELAS/SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS (EDWARD A. ORNELAS / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)

The Spurs’ Manu Ginobili looks for room around the Jazz’s Gordon Hayward during second half action of Game 3 of the Western Conference first round Saturday May 5, 2012 at EnergySolutions Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah. The Spurs won 102-90. EDWARD A. ORNELAS/SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS (EDWARD A. ORNELAS / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)

The Jazz’s Gordon Hayward runs into the Spurs’ Boris Diaw and Tim Duncan in the second half of game three of the Western Conference first round at EnergySolutions Arena in Salt Lake City, Saturday, May 5, 2012. The Spurs won 102-90 and lead the series 3-0. Jerry Lara/San Antonio Express-News (Jerry Lara / San Antonio Express-News)

The Spurs’ Tony Parker tries to pass the ball out to Tiago Splitter as the Jazz’s, from left, Derrick Favors, Gordon Hayward and Paul Millsap crowd him in the second half of game three of the Western Conference first round at EnergySolutions Arena in Salt Lake City, Saturday, May 5, 2012. The Spurs won 102-90 and lead the series 3-0. Jerry Lara/San Antonio Express-News (Jerry Lara / San Antonio Express-News)

The Spurs’ Tim Duncan and Matt Bonner defend the Jazz’s Alec Burks during second half action of Game 3 of the Western Conference first round Saturday May 5, 2012 at EnergySolutions Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah. The Spurs won 102-90. EDWARD A. ORNELAS/SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS (EDWARD A. ORNELAS / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)

The Spurs’ Boris Diaw splits the defense of the Jazz’s Paul Millsap, left, and Al Jefferson in the second half of game three of the Western Conference first round at EnergySolutions Arena in Salt Lake City, Saturday, May 5, 2012. The Spurs won 102-90 and lead the series 3-0. Jerry Lara/San Antonio Express-News (Jerry Lara / San Antonio Express-News)

The Spurs’ Danny Green runs into the Jazz’s Gordon Hayward in the second half of game three of the Western Conference first round at EnergySolutions Arena in Salt Lake City, Saturday, May 5, 2012. The Spurs won 102-90 and lead the series 3-0. Jerry Lara/San Antonio Express-News (Jerry Lara / San Antonio Express-News)

The Spurs’ Tim Duncan and Kawhi Leonard put pressure on the Jazz’s Devin Harris in the first half of game three of the Western Conference first round at EnergySolutions Arena in Salt Lake City, Saturday, May 5, 2012. Jerry Lara/San Antonio Express-News (Jerry Lara / San Antonio Express-News)

The Jazz’s Enes Kanter drives to the basket around the Spurs’ Tim Duncan during second half action of Game 3 of the Western Conference first round Saturday May 5, 2012 at EnergySolutions Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah. The Spurs won 102-90. EDWARD A. ORNELAS/SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS (EDWARD A. ORNELAS / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)

The Spurs’ Tim Duncan tries get through the Jazz’s Al Jefferson in the first half of game three of the Western Conference first round at EnergySolutions Arena in Salt Lake City, Saturday, May 5, 2012. Jerry Lara/San Antonio Express-News (Jerry Lara / San Antonio Express-News)

The Spurs’ Tiago Splitter looks to pass against the Jazz’s Derrick Favors during second half action of Game 3 of the Western Conference first round Saturday May 5, 2012 at EnergySolutions Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah. The Spurs won 102-90. EDWARD A. ORNELAS/SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS (EDWARD A. ORNELAS / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)

The Spurs’ Matt Bonner gets called for a foul on the Jazz’s Paul Millsap in the first half of game three of the Western Conference first round at EnergySolutions Arena in Salt Lake City, Saturday, May 5, 2012. Jerry Lara/San Antonio Express-News (Jerry Lara / San Antonio Express-News)

The Spurs’ Tim Duncan (from left), Danny Green, Stephen Jackson, Tony Parker, and Matt Bonner wait during a timeout during second half action of Game 3 of the Western Conference first round against the Utah Jazz Saturday May 5, 2012 at EnergySolutions Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah. The Spurs won 102-90. EDWARD A. ORNELAS/SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS (EDWARD A. ORNELAS / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)

The Spurs’ Tony Parker looks for room around the Jazz’s Enes Kanter during second half action of Game 3 of the Western Conference first round Saturday May 5, 2012 at EnergySolutions Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah. The Spurs won 102-90. EDWARD A. ORNELAS/SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS (EDWARD A. ORNELAS / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)

The Spurs’ Danny Green tries to get through the Jazz’s Paul Millsap and Gordon Hayward in the first half of game three of the Western Conference first round at EnergySolutions Arena in Salt Lake City, Saturday, May 5, 2012. Jerry Lara/San Antonio Express-News (Jerry Lara / San Antonio Express-News)

The Spurs’ Danny Green talks with official Ken Mauer in the first half of game three of the Western Conference first round at EnergySolutions Arena in Salt Lake City, Saturday, May 5, 2012. The Spurs beat the Utah Jazz 102-90 and lead the series, 3-0. Jerry Lara/San Antonio Express-News (Jerry Lara / San Antonio Express-News)

The Spurs’ Tim Duncan looks to pass over the Jazz’s Derrick Favors and Paul Millsap during second half action of Game 3 of the Western Conference first round Saturday May 5, 2012 at EnergySolutions Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah. The Spurs won 102-90. EDWARD A. ORNELAS/SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS (EDWARD A. ORNELAS / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)

The Spurs’ Matt Bonner looks to pass around the Jazz’s Derrick Favors during second half action of Game 3 of the Western Conference first round Saturday May 5, 2012 at EnergySolutions Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah. The Spurs won 102-90. EDWARD A. ORNELAS/SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS (EDWARD A. ORNELAS / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)

The Spurs’ Tim Duncan and Tony Parker slap hands in the first half of game three of the Western Conference first round at EnergySolutions Arena in Salt Lake City, Saturday, May 5, 2012. The Spurs beat the Utah Jazz 102-90 and lead the series 3-0. Jerry Lara/San Antonio Express-News (Jerry Lara / San Antonio Express-News)

The Jazz’s Al Jefferson reacts to a non-call in the second half of game three of the Western Conference first round at EnergySolutions Arena in Salt Lake City, Saturday, May 5, 2012. The San Antonio Spurs won 102-90 and lead the series 3-0. Jerry Lara/San Antonio Express-News (Jerry Lara / San Antonio Express-News)

The Spurs’ Tiago Splitter passes between the Jazz’s Paul Millsap, Al Jefferson, and Derrick Favors during second half action of Game 3 of the Western Conference first round Saturday May 5, 2012 at EnergySolutions Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah. The Spurs won 102-90. EDWARD A. ORNELAS/SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS (EDWARD A. ORNELAS / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS)

The Spurs’ Manu Ginobili passes out to the perimeter as the Jazz’s Gordon Hayward tries to block him in the second half of game three of the Western Conference first round at EnergySolutions Arena in Salt Lake City, Saturday, May 5, 2012. The Spurs won 102-90 and lead the series 3-0. Jerry Lara/San Antonio Express-News (Jerry Lara / San Antonio Express-News)

The Spurs’ Stephen Jackson reacts after shooting a three-pointer in the second half of game three of the Western Conference first round at EnergySolutions Arena in Salt Lake City, Saturday, May 5, 2012. The Spurs beat the Utah Jazz, 102-90, and lead the series 3-0. Jerry Lara/San Antonio Express-News (Jerry Lara / San Antonio Express-News)

Spurs coach Gregg Popovich talks with Tony Parker during a break in the second half of game three of the Western Conference first round at EnergySolutions Arena in Salt Lake City, Saturday, May 5, 2012. The Spurs beat the Utah Jazz, 102-90, and lead the series 3-0. Jerry Lara/San Antonio Express-News (Jerry Lara / San Antonio Express-News)

Spurs coach Gregg Popovich calls play during the second half of game three of the Western Conference first round at EnergySolutions Arena in Salt Lake City, Saturday, May 5, 2012. The Spurs beat the Utah Jazz, 102-90, and lead the series 3-0. Jerry Lara/San Antonio Express-News (Jerry Lara / San Antonio Express-News)

The Spurs’ Tim Duncan reacts to a possession call in the first half of game three of the Western Conference first round at EnergySolutions Arena in Salt Lake City, Saturday, May 5, 2012. The Spurs beat the Utah Jazz, 102-90 and take a 3-0 lead in the series. Jerry Lara/San Antonio Express-News (Jerry Lara / San Antonio Express-News)

The Spurs’ Tim Duncan talks with DeJuan Blair after Blair was called for a foul in the first half of game three of the Western Conference first round at EnergySolutions Arena in Salt Lake City, Saturday, May 5, 2012. Jerry Lara/San Antonio Express-News (Jerry Lara / San Antonio Express-News)

The Spurs’ Tony Parker tries to block the Jazz’s Devin Harris in the first half of game three of the Western Conference first round at EnergySolutions Arena in Salt Lake City, Saturday, May 5, 2012. Jerry Lara/San Antonio Express-News (Jerry Lara / San Antonio Express-News)

By Jeff McDonald

SALT LAKE CITY — After being blown out in the first two games of their Western Conference first round playoff series against the Spurs, the Utah Jazz vowed to give a more inspired performance in front of their home crowd in Game 3.

And they delivered.

The Spurs vowed to be ready for it. They delivered, too.

Behind 27 points from Tony Parker and 17 from Tim Duncan, the Spurs took Utah’s best punch and survived, grinding out a 102-90 victory that shoved the eighth-seeded Jazz to the edge of elimination.

“The good thing about it was, we didn’t get rattled,” said forward Stephen Jackson, who ended with 13 points off the bench. “We stayed focused on what we needed to do. We just wanted to continue to do what we do.”

A third straight double-digit win in the series was also the hardest-earned for the top-seeded Spurs, who cruised to wins in Games 1 and 2 in San Antonio by an average of 23 points.

The Spurs needed a 16-point fourth quarter explosion from Parker, who adjusted well after the Jazz’s moved the bigger Gordon Hayward to defend him, to beat back Utah’s last-gasp effort.

Saturday’s triumph moved the Spurs to the brink of their first playoff sweep since the 2007 NBA Finals, when they did it to LeBron James’ Cleveland Cavaliers. Dating to the end of the regular season, the Spurs have won 13 games in a row, matching the second-longest winning streak of the Gregg Popovich era.

With another victory in Game 3 on Monday in Utah, the Spurs would head to the second round for just the second time since 2008.

Utah came into the night spouting rhetoric straight out “The Hunger Games — “We’ve got to fight for our lives out there,” Hayward said after morning shootaround.

By Saturday night, when they walked into EnergySolutions Arena, the Spurs were prepared for a cage fight against a wounded animal. Their 31-point victory in Game 2, they stressed, was a thing of the past.

“We know Game 2 isn’t reality,” Manu Ginobili said. “It’s not something that’s going to happen often.”

Heading into Game 3, Popovich telegraphed a simple message to his team, beginning before the charter flight left San Antonio and continuing up until tipoff Saturday.

“Every game is a new animal,” Popovich said. “That’s how you approach it, like there were no games previous and no games after it.”

Utah coach Tyrone Corbin settled on a similar theme for his players.

“It’s a new day,” he said before the game.

For two quarters, the Jazz played as if they believed it.

Utah point guard Devin Harris, who finished with 21 points, had more in the first half of Game 3 (14) as he had combined in Games 1 and 2. With Al Jefferson also finding range on his jumper, and Alec Burks provided a much-needed boost from the bench, Utah hung with the Spurs — and even took an occasional first-half lead.

The Jazz bullied their way into 16 foul shots in the opening two quarters, though they made only eight, and got the Spurs’ frontcourt in foul trouble. When asked to name the Spurs’ most notable adjustment in the second half, Popovich was succinct.

“We stopped fouling,” he said.

At the end of the second quarter, Ginobili took a soft deep pass from Duncan out of a timeout, then scrambled the ball to Matt Bonner in the corner. His buzzer-beating 3-pointer gave the Spurs a 52-50 lead at the end of the best half the Jazz had played in the series.

Utah would lead for all of 53 seconds the rest of the way.

“It was a good one for us,” Duncan said. “We had some times we felt we could have played better, but we expected that from them.”

The Spurs inched out to a 13-point lead in the fourth quarter before Utah made one last desperate push. A Derrick Favors 7-foot jumper brought the Jazz within 8:25 left. Over the next 5:14, Parker took over, engineering a 13-4 run that returned the Spurs collective foot back on Utah’s throats.

On Monday, the Spurs will attempt to do it one more time.

“We can’t be satisfied with ourselves,” Parker said. “Make sure we keep the same mentality. Keep playing well. Keep playing with a lot of energy.”

jmcdonald@express-news.net
Twitter: @JMcDonald_SAEN

SPURS LEAD BEST-OF-7 SERIES 3-0

Game 1:

Game 2:

Game 3

Game 4: Monday: Spurs @Jazz, 7 p.m.
TV: FSNSW, TBD Radio: WOAI-AM 1200; KCOR-AM 1350?

* Game 5: Wednesday: Jazz @Spurs, TBD
TV: FSNSW, TBD Radio: WOAI-AM 1200; KCOR-AM 1350?

* Game 6: May 11: Spurs @Jazz, TBD
TV: FSNSW, TBD Radio: WOAI-AM 1200; KCOR-AM 1350?

* Game 7: May 13: Jazz @Spurs, TBD
TV: TBD Radio: WOAI-AM 1200; KCOR-AM 1350?

* — As needed in best-of-7 series

Spurs fear a lack of fear itself

By Jeff McDonald

SALT LAKE CITY — For two games in their Western Conference first-round series against Utah, the Spurs have successfully guarded against Al Jefferson’s repertoire of herky-jerky post moves.

They have guarded against Devin Harris’ quickness and Paul Millsap’s blue-collar ruggedness.

Tonight, as the series shifts to rowdy EnergySolutions Arena with the top-seeded Spurs up 2-0 and solidly in command, they are poised to come face-to-face with their most formidable foe yet in these playoffs.

Overconfidence.

“From game to game, there’s always a danger of letdowns,” said Tim Duncan, the Spurs’ 36-year-old captain. “We’re going to fight against that, but there’s no promises in any way.”

In their quest to put a lock on the series, it seems the only thing the Spurs have to fear now is the lack of fear itself.

The Spurs won the first two games by a staggering total of 46 points. Their 106-91 victory in Game 1 looked like a nail-biter compared to the 114-83 ransacking the Spurs delivered in Game 2.

The 31-point margin in Game 2 marked the Spurs’ third-largest win in team playoff history. For Utah, it was the franchise’s second-worst postseason defeat, surpassed in humiliation ?only by a 96-54 loss to Michael Jordan’s Chicago Bulls in Game 3 of the 1998 NBA Finals.

How each team responds now will determine how much life is left in this series.

“It’s easy to fold your tent,” Utah coach Tyrone Corbin said. “But fight is fight, and competitors compete. Guys who want to quit will quit.”

So far, the Spurs have treated the eighth-seeded Jazz like a D-League team, with All-Star point guard Tony Parker obliterating Utah’s backcourt en route to a combined 46 points and 17 assists. Their Duncan-led frontcourt has outplayed Jefferson and Millsap in helping post a 120-80 edge in paint points.

In Game 2, the Spurs were ahead 20-8 before star sixth man Manu Ginobili had even stripped off his warmups.

It speaks to the Spurs’ sense of professionalism and self-restraint that they haven’t yet begun planning dinner reservations in Memphis or Los Angeles.

“What I see is ultimate focus,” forward Stephen Jackson said. “Nobody is talking about the next series. Everyone is focused about what’s in front of us.”

The Spurs’ battle against overconfidence began before coach Gregg Popovich left the interview podium after Wednesday’s Game 2 romp, when he reminded that the runaway victory was “nothing to be satisfied about.”

In Utah, the Spurs are expecting to find a different Jazz team than the one that presented so little resistance in San Antonio.

“I know Pop’s really antsy about us coming out and getting jumped on,” Duncan said.

If nothing else, the Spurs are anticipating an amped-up performance from the Utah crowd, generally considered one of the NBA’s most rambunctious.

Those who were around in 2007 haven’t forgotten the Spurs’ last trip to Salt Lake for a playoff game, when players and coaches exited the court to a hail of debris after a Game 4 victory in that year’s Western Conference finals.

“They’re going to play even harder, with a great atmosphere,” said Ginobili, one of the few Spurs yet to find his footing. “They’re going to be fired up. Hopefully, we don’t relax and keep fighting.”

Down 2-0 in a series against a Spurs team that hasn’t lost a game since April 11, the Jazz would love to have such worries.

Their mission now, as impossible as anything Tom Cruise ever tried: Win four out of five against a Spurs team that has only lost three times since March 9.

“We’re fighting for our lives,” Utah forward Gordon Hayward said.

To stay alive, the Jazz will make adjustments. They will feed Jefferson in the post. They will rely on Harris’ quickness, and Millsap’s ruggedness.

In the end, however, Utah’s best hope for survival might be out of its hands. Ultimately, Game 3 could come down to how well the Spurs handle their own prosperity.

jmcdonald@express-news.net
Twitter: @JMcDonald_SAEN

SPURS LEAD BEST-OF-7 SERIES 2-0

Game 1:

Game 2:

Game 3 Saturday: Spurs @Jazz, 9 p.m.
TV: FSNSW, TNT Radio: WOAI-AM 1200; KCOR-AM 1350?

Game 4 Monday: Spurs @Jazz, TBD
TV: FSNSW, TBD Radio: WOAI-AM 1200; KCOR-AM 1350?

* Game 5 Wednesday: Jazz @Spurs, TBD
TV: FSNSW, TBD Radio: WOAI-AM 1200; KCOR-AM 1350?

* Game 6 May 11: Spurs @Jazz, TBD
TV: FSNSW, TBD Radio: WOAI-AM 1200; KCOR-AM 1350?

* Game 7 May 13: Jazz @Spurs, TBD
TV: TBD Radio: WOAI-AM 1200; KCOR-AM 1350?

* — As needed in best-of-7 series