SALT LAKE CITY (AP) -- The Portland Trail Blazers never expected to lead the Utah Jazz 3-1. On their way to a commanding series lead, the Blazers have played the worst fourth quarter in NBA playoff history, shot 34 percent from the field in a game they won and received much less production from their reserves than normal. Overall, Portland's play has been solid, but not spectacular -- and yet the Blazers are one win away from eliminating the two-time defending Western Conference champions. Game 5 of the series is tonight at the Delta Center. ``We're going to do what we can to end it in Utah,'' Portland's Rasheed Wallace said. ``We know it's going to be a hard, physical game, but we'll stand up to it.'' Portland has won three straight in the series, with two of the victories coming in the closing minute. In both instances, the Jazz made critical errors that allowed the Blazers to breathe a little easier. In Game 2, John Stockton missed a layup with two seconds to play that could have tied the score. In Game 4, Bryon Russell threw a terrible inbounds pass that was intercepted with 14 seconds to play. ``It feels good to be up 3-1, but we're not satisfied with that,'' guard Damon Stoudamire said. ``We know that we've got to close the deal now. We've got to be finishers and get our game tight.'' Those wins have made the already confident Blazers a bit cocky entering Game 5. The winner of the series advances to face San Antonio in the Western Conference finals. ``If you look back at the whole series, they should have been swept,'' Isaiah Rider said Sunday. ``We gave that first game away. ``We think now, with our defense, we can win, even if we're not shooting well. We know eventually our shots will drop. We're hungry. We want to win. But we have business to take care of.'' The Blazers worked out in Portland on Monday before flying to Salt Lake City, where Utah is 3-4 in its last seven home playoff games. If necessary, Game 6 will be Thursday at the Rose Garden. The Jazz have lost three games in a row for the first time since the 1998 NBA Finals. But in dropping three straight to the Trail Blazers in a four-day span, Utah didn't look much like a team that can return there. Most observers thought this shortened season would be the last best chance for Karl Malone, John Stockton and Co. to win the title that has eluded them for over a decade. Now, it will take a three-game winning streak for the Jazz to climb out of the hole they have dug -- and even then, the Spurs await. ``We're up against it now,'' Jazz guard Jeff Hornacek said. ``We put ourselves in this situation, and now we have to see if we can get out of it. How? Well, we need everything, sort of.'' There is consolation in the fact the Jazz often play well when cornered. They are 5-1 in their last six games in which they faced elimination, including their rally for a 3-2 series win over Sacramento in the first round. After three games in four days, the Jazz didn't practice Monday. Coach Jerry Sloan hoped a day off might give one more injection of rest for his aging, ailing team. Ever since their blowout of Sacramento in the first game of the first round, the Jazz have mostly played poorly during the playoffs, and there's no single reason why. Utah is 3-5 in its last eight games, and two of those wins came only when the Kings missed shots that could have won it. The Jazz's scoring is down, their defense has trouble keeping up with young legs, and their big men have done nothing. Even Stockton has missed two critical layups in the final minute of close games against the Blazers. Uncharacteristic mental mistakes like Russell's throwaway have dogged Utah. Malone, who might win his second Most Valuable Player award this season, also has played poorly, shooting 42.6 percent and disappearing down the stretch in Games 2 and 4. ``People have counted us out before, and we've proved them wrong,'' Malone said. ``We're going to get it going, no matter what it takes.'' -=-=- 