Consequently, down the stretch Monday, it was the Jazz who came unraveled. Key shots went awry. Questionable calls got them upset. Coach Jerry Sloan got his second technical of the game and was ejected with 2:34 remaining after complaining too strongly. Guard Derek Fisher picked up a "T" at the same time. Fisher earned his second technical and ejection nearly two minutes later.

It was the culmination of a night of frustration in which the Jazz felt they got the short shrift on fouls. Judging strictly by the numbers, they did. The Spurs shot 41, the Jazz 20.

"We just couldn't keep them off the free throw line," said Sloan.

"We felt we got hit a little bit," said Jazz guard Deron Williams, whose 27 points and 10 assists were his team's high point. "You know, we went to the basket — we felt there were a couple of things that were questionable ... but they won the game. They did a good job. They made plays. They kept their heads. We were the ones getting the techs (technical fouls), not them. And that's why they prevailed."

In fact, that's why they're the Spurs.

Said San Antonio forward Robert Horry, ""We've been in a lot of situations throughout our careers. We can handle it very well.

"That's the good thing about this team. We don't get rattled when fans get hot and the team makes a run. Utah made a run and cut it to three, but we stayed calm and cool like a veteran team."

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