After obliterating the Utah Jazz for the second game in a row in the Western Conference semifinals, the answer to the riddle is obvious:

Bring on the Los Angeles Lakers.

Running in every player on the roster, and even considering some fans itching to get some playing time, Blazers coach Mike Dunleavy could push no wrong button as the Blazers embarrassed the Jazz 103-85 to take a 2-0 lead with Game 3 slated for Thursday in the Delta Center.

So coach Dunleavy, is it difficult not thinking about the Lakers, the team you coached to the NBA Finals in 1991?

"The who?" Dunleavy said, scrunching up his face. "I don't even know the name."

Yes he does. But reality speaks volumes and all that matters is how they play at Utah. If you ask Jazz coach Jerry Sloan, there isn't much left the Jazz can do.

"It's the best I've seen a team play against us in 15 years," Sloan said. "I didn't see them make any mistakes."

OK, maybe he was getting a bit carried away, as the rolling eyes of Karl Malone reflected ("Coach is entitled to his opinion," Malone said), but the Blazers were as sharp as it gets. They sank 56.3 percent of their shots from the field, and backslid late from the free-throw line. But remember, they built up a lead of 33 several times in the final quarter before garbage time hit.

"They were sharp on defense and they were sharp on offense," Jazz guard John Stockton said. "They were great tonight. I hope it helps (going home)."

Six Blazers were in double-figures, led by Steve Smith with 19 points, once again exploiting their huge advantage at shooting guard over hobbled 6-4 Jeff Hornacek and undersized Howard Eisley. In fact, it even allowed Smith's young backup Bonzi Wells, relegated to just 12 minutes in three of the previous five playoff games this season, to go off. Wells had 17 points in 18 minutes, and all indications are he's ready to do battle now.

"I feel a lot better now," he said. "I finally felt like I got into the rhythm of the game."

The entire team had the rhythm of the Temptations in their hey-day. Malone, who led the Jazz with 15 points, claimed the sprained knee he suffered in Game 1 didn't bother him at all. At least not as much as the Blazers defense did.

And it was that way from the start.

Jerry Sloan had no answers for the Blazers through the first two games of the series.(AP)

The Blazers were running an offensive clinic throughout the first half, shooting a blistering 63 percent from the field and hitting 14-of-17 free throws. Rasheed Wallace was brilliant from the baseline, shooting over Malone as if he didn't exist for 12 points, while Greg Anthony came off the bench to score 10 in 10 minutes by hitting all three of his shots from the field (including a 3-pointer) and all three of his free throws.

By halftime, the lead had expanded to 56-35, as the Jazz just looked, well, old and slow. The bench that was so effective in Game 1 keeping it close, kept the lead within reason in the second quarter. But once the starters returned, the Blazers just blew them out.

Heck, Scottie Pippen didn't even play in the second quarter, and much of the second half either. It was hardly noticeable that he managed just five points in 23 minutes. There was little doubt the Jazz was done unless they made a significant run at the start of the third period. Otherwise, it was time to lick their wounds and head back to Salt Lake City with hopes of at least fending off the Blazers for a couple of games to make it a series.

After a brief interlude that cut the lead to 15, the Jazz starters headed back to the bench with their tongues just inches from the hardwood by the midway point of the third period. Problem was, the Blazers couldn't even call off the dogs since their second team expanded the lead to 33.

Maybe they should just call off the rest of the series and prepare for the next round … featuring the Lakers.

Just for your edification Mike Dunleavy, that's the team that plays in Los Angeles, starring Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant, and coached by Phil Jackson.