As the waning minutes of Tuesday's game against New Jersey ticked away, Steve Smith waited patiently on the bench for Spurs coach Gregg Popovich to call his name.

Smith waited. And waited. And waited.

He never left his seat. Though the Spurs desperately needed a basket, Popovich left the league's best 3-point shooter on the bench in place of Stephen Jackson's defense.

"I was definitely surprised, but it's Pop's decision," Smith said. "I'm a competitor, and I want to be out there all the time. You just stay professional and do what you have to do."

If nothing else, Smith at least stayed fresh. Not given the opportunity to rescue the Spurs from their loss to the Nets, Smith more than made up for his lost time Wednesday.

Smith made all five of his 3-pointers and scored 29 points ? on only 10 shots ? as the Spurs ended their two-game losing streak by beating Utah for the eighth straight time, 98-92 in front of 19,623 at the Delta Center.

"When Steve gets on a roll, he gets on a roll," Popovich said. "It's not like we call something for him ... so when he gets going we just shut up, sit there, and watch and try not to screw it up."

When the Spurs almost botched Wednesday's win, it took a simple head fake from Smith ? not a shot ? that saved the game.