Spurs at Jazz
THE STORY: The Utah Jazz found a way to slow down the San Antonio Spurs in their last trip to Salt Lake City. Of course, Spurs coach Gregg Popovich provided a considerable assist by resting his three top players to enable Utah to snap the Spurs' 11-game winning streak. The Jazz won't have the luxury of facing San Antonio's juggernaut shorthanded this time around as they look to bounce back from a 2-0 deficit in Game 3 of their first-round series Saturday night.
TV: 10 p.m. ET, TNT, FSSW+
ABOUT THE SPURS: Point guard Tony Parker was an under-the-radar MVP candidate during the regular season, and he's continued his brilliant play in the postseason to help San Antonio extend its winning streak to 12 games. Parker scored 28 points to go with eight assists in the opener and followed it up with 18 and nine in Game 2 despite playing only 27 1/2 minutes. Parker has not made a 3-pointer since March 28 – and attempted only nine since – but guides a ruthlessly efficient offense that is averaging over 114 points during the 12-game streak.
ABOUT THE JAZZ: Utah rolled into the postseason riding a five-game winning streak, but has been unable to keep pace with the top-seeded Spurs. Wednesday's 114-83 thrashing was the second-worst playoff loss in team history. The Jazz scored only 28 first-half points in Game 2 and were vaporized by a 20-0 run by San Antonio. Utah acquitted itself better in the series opener, getting a combined 53 points from its frontline of Paul Millsap, Gordon Hayward and Al Jefferson, but the starting backcourt has produced a combined 20 points in the first two games.
BUZZER BEATERS:
1. The Spurs have won eight of the last nine meetings, with the only loss coming last month with Parker, Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili sitting out.
2. Utah is 9-1 all-time at home against the Spurs in the postseason.
3. San Antonio has its first 2-0 playoff series lead since 2008.