The Utah Jazz and San Antonio Spurs resume their series at 10 p.m. ET tonight in Salt Lake City.
The Utah Jazz and San Antonio Spurs resume their series at 10 p.m. ET tonight in Salt Lake City. REUTERS

The San Antonio Spurs hold a 2-0 lead over the Utah Jazz in their first round matchup thanks to experience and the ability to close out the Jazz when it really matters.

The Spurs were up seven at the half in game one, and then used a 31-23 advantage in the third quarter to pull away and take an easy 106-91 win in game one. In game two, the Spurs put the hammer down much earlier going up 53-29 at the half and then cruising to a 114-83 lead.

The Jazz hope to counter by going with a bigger lineup in game three, one that features Al Jefferson, Derek Favors and Paul Millsap at the three forward spots. The Jazz have lost the first two games by a combined 46 points, but has outscored San Antonio by six points while Favors is on the floor.

The Jazz are hoping that a big, physical, and aggressive style of play can knock the cagey veterans of the Spurs off their game. The Jazz are especially worried about the play of Tony Parker. The Spurs guard sliced them up for 28 points in game one and 18 points and nine assists in game two.

For their part, the Spurs are going to keep doing what they have been doing for the better part of the last decade. Let Parker and Tim Duncan do what they do best, so far it has led to a pair of wins.

Where to watch: The game can be viewed online at http://nbaliveonline.com/streaming/. It will also be broadcast nationally on TNT at 10 PM ET.

Prediction: The Spurs will have their first hiccup of the playoffs tonight. Utah is too proud and too talented to be swept out by San Antonio. Look for the Jazz to get their mojo back on their home floor.

Predicted Score: Utah over San Antonio 100-95