The Salt Lake T Party

While Porter shook Stockton for 34 points on Sunday, the emotional Blazers came unraveled in the clutch. Drexler, though, was philosophical. "Every team contests calls," he said in the locker room afterward. "You show me a team that doesn't, and I'll eat my shoes."

But the Jazz more scrupulously kept their feet from their mouths. In particular, the Mailman, who is perennially among the league leaders in technicals, largely refrained from moaning about the calls. "I'm just working to keep my composure out there."

To advance to the NBA Finals, though, Utah knew it would soon have to come up with some kind of outburst in Portland, where it has lost four times this season, by an average of 19.3 points. "They haven't proven they can beat us in our place," said Porter on Sunday as the teams prepared to return to Portland for Game 5 on Tuesday. "We came close here." If the Jazz do pull a road upset, then there will really be a lot to cry about in Portland.