Spurs or Suns? Which is better for Jazz?

Which opponent would give the Utah Jazz the best chance of advancing to the NBA Finals?

The Jazz will have their hands full, no doubt, no matter what. Either one will have the home-court advantage over Utah. Both are led by players with matching MVP trophies on their respective mantles. The Jazz will be seriously lacking in the playoff experience department against either foe.

One team has the best offense in the NBA, averaging 110.2 points per game in the regular season. The other surrendered a league-low 90.1 points and has the top two vote-getters on the NBA's 2006-07 All-Defensive Team.

Here's a quick look at how the Jazz match up against the Spurs and Suns in five categories: recent history, frontline, backcourt, bench play and style of play.

RECENT HISTORY — It's no secret that the Spurs have dominated the Jazz in recent years. San Antonio, in fact, won 18 straight over Utah at one point from 2000 to 2005. The Jazz haven't won a game in San Antonio since 1999. That's a current 16-game winning streak for the Spurs over Utah in the Alamo City.

If the Jazz play the Spurs, they'll have to win at least one game in Texas to advance. Then again, this is a new, better Jazz team than in the recent past and Utah won both games in Salt Lake City against the Spurs this season.

The Jazz actually beat the Suns 3-1 in the regular season series this season — and the lone loss was late in the year when Utah was struggling and dealing with injuries.

Better for Utah based on recent history: Phoenix

FRONTLINE — Tim Duncan is a force on both ends of the court. The two-time MVP was selected to the league's All-Defensive Team for the 10th time this season. But he also gets the job done on offense. He averaged 20 points on 55 percent shooting during the regular season and is averaging 23.4 points during the playoffs. He has proven to be a tough matchup for Jazz star Carlos Boozer.

Michael Finley has been starting at forward during the playoffs and has given the team a nice scoring punch. Utah center Mehmet Okur should have an advantage on either young center the Spurs go with, Fabricio Oberto or Francisco Elson.

The Suns were a great team a year ago without star center Amare Stoudemire, who missed virtually the entire year with a knee injury. This season Stoudemire was back to pre-injury form, earning All-NBA first team honors. Add forwards Shawn Marion and Kurt Thomas, and the Suns' frontcourt is averaging 49.2 points and 27.5 rebounds per game during the playoffs.

Duncan is great, but the Suns frontline creates more matchup problems.

Better for Utah based on the frontcourt: San Antonio