Three games into their second-round playoff series with Denver, the Utah Jazz are saying, as usual, they haven't done anything yet. They're wearing grim faces and furrowing their brows and generally carrying on like like they're awaiting a tax audit.
"I'm going home to the hotel, ordering a big steal and relaxing. I'm not thinking about wrapping anything up," said Jazz forward Karl Malone.The Jazz stretched their playoff win streak to six games by stopping Denver 111-109 in overtime, Saturday at McNichols Arena. Guards Jeff Hornacek and John Stockton and Malone combined for 77 points as the Jazz took a 3-0 lead in the best-of-seven series.
Game 4 is Sunday at McNichols Arena, 7 p.m.
"It's a tough situation, to be down by three," said Denver center Dikembe Mutombo. "We need to come out tomorrow and give it our best shot. And whatever happens, happens."
So far in the Jazz-Denver series, it's been hard figuring out by their behavior which team was winning all the games. While the Nuggets jumped and waved their fists and worked the crowd, the Jazz stood as silent as the Sphinx of Egypt. When the Nuggets overcame a 16-point Jazz lead to go ahead in the fourth quarter, the Jazz calmly called on their veteran players.
"Hell no, it's not over," insisted Jazz forward Karl Malone. "Not at all."
If the Jazz are becoming redundant with their never-take-anyone-lightly routine in this year's playoffs, the results are hard to dispute. Their six-game playoff win streak is twice their previous high. They're not only winning games, they're keeping everyone happy. "We're getting help from everyone," said Malone.
In the closing minutes, a group of three Jazz players who have a combined total of 21 years playoff experience, provided the finishing touches. Hornacek, who was shooting just 31 percent in the series, led all scorers with 27 points, including an important 3-pointer with 1:35 to go in overtime. Malone rumbled for 26 points, including a clutch 22-footer that sent the game into overtime. And Stockton finished off the night, scoring six points in the final 1:02.
"Tell you what," said the Mailman. "When Hornacek and Stock catch fire, we're tough to beat."
Although the Nuggets were already in trouble going into Game 3, their hopes rose like the north slope of Pike's Peak. They were back at McNichols Arena, where they began their comeback after falling behind 2-0 in their first-round series against Seattle. While the Jazz warmed up stoically for the nationally televised game, the Nuggets went in for spin dunks, prompting roars from the crowd. During introductions, Denver's LaPhonso Ellis raised his fists to the crowd in the kind of celebration normally reserved for the finish line at the Olympics.
But once the game began, the Nuggets knew the celebrating was over. Jazz forward Tyrone Corbin, who shot just 18 percent in the first-round series against San Antonio, landed his first six shots and finished the game with 9-11 shooting. After one quarter he had 12 points.
"We wanted Corbin to shoot the ball, but we didn't want to give him five seconds to get his feet set and check the direction of the wind," said Denver coach Dan Issel.
"Ty," said Stockton, "was dead center."
Corbin notwithstanding, the Nuggets had their own surprise weapon in center Dikembe Mutombo. A 12-point scorer in the regular season, Mutombo had 18 by the half, having made eight of his first nine shots.
Ten quick points to open the second half pushed the Jazz toward a 16-point lead. But Denver had the lead down to seven by the start of the fourth quarter and went ahead with 3:21 to go in regulation, thanks to a 10-0 run.
"On that one stretch we did a poor job of executing," said Jazz coach Jerry Sloan.
With the Jazz trailing by two and 9.2 seconds left in regulation, the Mailman launched a 22-foot jumper that swished, tying the score. During an ensuing Denver time out, Malone adamantly complained to officials that his shot was a 3-pointer.
"I thought I hit the three and then I went crazy when they told me it was just two," said Malone. "I apologize for that, now, after instant replay. I apologize for carrying on like that. Sorry."
Though the Nuggets had a final shot, Robert Pack's leaning shot was off, sending the game into overtime.
After the Nuggets went ahead by two in the overtime, the Jazz rapidly took control. Hornacek's 3-pointer with 1:35 left put the Jazz up 105-102. Stockton made two straight jumpers and then gave the Jazz a 111-108 lead on a pair of free throws with 9.2 seconds remaining.
Malone fouled out with 4.8 seconds left, but it never became important. Denver's Rodney Rogers made the first free throw to cut Utah's lead to two, but purposely shanked the second off the rim. Jazz rookie Stephen Howard, however, pulled in the rebound and time ran out.
While the Nuggets left the arena complaining, again, that they could have won, the Jazz did their best to keep the same wary attitude they've had since the regular season ended. But aren't they just a little bit confident they can wrap it up Sunday?
"I'm not," said Malone. "I'm a nervous wreck right now."