Jazz vs. Spurs: Game 3

Even though the Jazz were 0-2 in the first round playoff series against the San Antonio Spurs, I was really looking forward to the game tonight.  There is nothing quite like the atmosphere in the ESA during the playoffs.  It is incredibly intense, to say the least.  Since I know it is extremely unlikely that the Jazz will advance to the next round, my goal for tonight was simply to enjoy the game and not get too emotionally involved in the outcome.  I did enjoy the game and I wasn't too terribly disappointed in the final score.  I cheered my heart out every time Devin Harris made a three-point shot and Al Jefferson hit a jumper.  I waved my towel when DeMarre Carroll got some incredible steals and Derrick Favors blocked Splitter's dunk.  I even let myself believe a little bit when Utah ended the first half down by just one basket.  In the end, however, the Spurs proved to be too much for the Jazz to handle in the second half.  Their interior defense really disrupted both Al Jefferson and Paul Millsap and forced them to take, and miss, a lot of outside shots.  I think the Jazz played a little bit better defensively in this game but their inability to score in the paint gave the Spurs a 3-0 lead in the series with a final score of 102-90.  Nevertheless, I am really proud of the Jazz for not giving up in the fourth quarter.  The Spurs led by as many as 13 in the final few minutes but the Jazz were able to cut it to five before Tony Parker went on a run.  That gives me hope for next season.