Utah are leading Portland in the Western Conference First Round 2-1 after a 102-71 blowout of Portland designed to impress the media. "Maybe we can get some credit now," commented coach Coach Young after the game. "No matter what we've done right this season, there have always been those who find something to doubt. So hopefully this 102-to-71 win can shut them up a little bit. I hate to have to do this to [Portland coach] Bob; he's got a great program and we never like to run up the score. But I don't think we had any other choice."

Bob was understanding. "I'm not upset at all. Coach Young is a classy coach, but was left with no choice by all the criticism he was taking. We'll just have to pick up the pieces and try to regroup before our next game."

Utah was led by Perkins (24 points, 3 steals, a block), Hill (16 points, 12 boards, 1 assists, 2 blocks), Robinson (18 points, 1 assists, 4 blocks). Portland was led by Smith (26 points, 6 boards, 0 assists), Mcneil (21 points, 0 assists), Vanderveer (10 points, 5 boards, 1 assists, 2 blocks).

box score Utah* roster Portland roster