All of those tapes from past playoff encounters are worn to a point where VCR tracking no longer clears the picture.
The Sonics have tapped into the cognitive side of center Greg Foster, a former Utah Jazz soldier who is familiar with the enemy's intricate battle plan.In an 89-78 Game 3 win on Saturday, the Sonics displayed enough defensive prowess to derail the NBA's top offensive executors.
So it is safe to say the Sonics -- down 2-1 -- know what must be done to win Game 4 tonight in Key Arena.
In order to force a decisive Game 5, the Sonics must again defend with authority, disrupting Utah's methodical offense.
Rarely do the Jazz change concepts. Utah will simply dare the Sonics to be twice as good.
"They'll execute better. They'll shoot better. You'll see a high-intensity group. So, yeah, it's up to us to stop them again," said Foster, who played four seasons (1996-99) with Utah. "We have to defend in Game 4 even better than we did in Game 3."
Preparing for the Jazz offense is like watching a game show. You know all of the answers in the comforts of home; those challenges are much tougher in person.
It is easy to preach that the Sonics must disrupt Utah's pick-and-roll, eliminate back-door cuts and impede easy run-out layups. Stopping the Jazz will take dedication, concentration, trust in teammates and mental and physical stamina -- all of which the Sonics displayed in Game 3.
The Sonics can live with Karl Malone's production, just as the Jazz must accept that Payton will flourish.
The Sonics plan to exploit Utah's centers, Olden Polynice and Greg Ostertag, who combined for seven points, nine rebounds and one block in Game 3. Keeping them off the glass allowed the Sonics to outrebound the Jazz by eight, resulting in fast breaks and transition baskets.
Westphal said he has told everyone to be ready for a war -- the toughest game of this series.