PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) -- Utah Jazz coach Jerry Sloan wonders whether his team has the energy or the will to come back from another 2-1 playoff deficit. ``We just showed up. I can't accept that,'' Sloan said Saturday after the Portland Trail Blazers defeated the Jazz 97-87 to go up 2-1 in their best-of-7 series. ``I don't know what we'll come out with (in Game 4 Sunday).'' The Jazz, struggling to get back to the NBA Finals after playing runner-up to the Bulls two straight years, lost two of three to Sacramento in the first round and were on the verge of elimination before winning the last two games. Even though the Jazz are two games away from being knocked out in this series, a similar recovery may be tougher against the Blazers. Unlike the Kings, Portland plays a nasty, grabbing defense to go with speed and athleticism on offense. Led by backup point guard Greg Anthony, the Blazers used strong halfcourt pressure to force nine turnovers in the second quarter alone. Anthony had four steals as the Blazers held the Jazz scoreless for 9:01 starting with about four minutes left in the first period. ``We have to do a better job of getting into our offense,'' Utah's Karl Malone said. ``They're forcing us away from the spots we need to be. I've had opportunities, but didn't make them. It's not one guy, it's all of us, but I need to lead them by my play.'' Malone scored 25 points, but the Jazz had little else going. With muscular Brian Grant able to guard the Mailman by himself, the Blazers are able to focus on defending Utah guards John Stockton and Jeff Hornacek, and on exploiting their size advantage inside. The Blazers had 11 offensive rebounds in the first half, and center Arvydas Sabonis hit three inside shots with Greg Ostertag guarding him in the last 1:18 of the first quarter. Sabonis scored eight points in a 19-0 run from which the Jazz didn't recover. Utah' biggest problem, however, is that the Blazers seem to be growing wise to the tried-and-true plays -- the devastating screens and smooth pick-and-rolls -- that have been the staples of Jazz basketball. ``I wouldn't call it a big surprise that this happened,'' Hornacek said in the quiet Jazz locker room. ``We're pretty predictable in what we do. We're running the same plays we have for years. They're doing a good job of anticipating.'' The Jazz may still have another run left, and a win Sunday would give them a fresh start -- again. ``I think one game can knock their confidence back,'' Shandon Anderson said of the Blazers. ``If we come out and take care of business, the momentum's back in our favor.'' -=-=- 