In Utah the Jazz tried to turn this into just another game, not any kind of revenge match. The Jazz scoffed at the idea that it was looking for compensation for last season's playoff elimination. There was so little interest, in fact, that scalpers outside the Delta Center held signs offering "Tickets 2 for 1!"

And inside, Jazz coach Jerry Sloan insisted, with eyes rolling, "I don't play backwards."

So playing forward meant some down-and-dirty physical play, a reliance on that same old Utah pair ? Karl Malone and John Stockton ? and an 18-1 flourish to end the game for a 107-98 Utah victory over the Mavericks on Monday.

"We gave it away," Juwan Howard said, shaking his head afterward.

Even with a suddenly healthy Dirk Nowitzki, who tested his heavily taped left ankle before the game and declared himself ready to play despite the strained left ankle tendon.