He decided to get more production out of fewer players.

Popovich basically used only eight players in Monday's Game 4 victory in Salt Lake City, shortening his rotation by keeping Brent Barry on the bench and giving Francisco Elson only a half-minute's work at the end of the first half.

The result was more playing time for Manu Ginobili and Fabricio Oberto, and they responded well.

"The guys that did play got good minutes to go ahead and show if they were going to have good games or not - a better chance to have a good game that way, basically," Popovich said.

Here to stay

If Oberto's 14-point performances in each of the first two games of the series seemed like a novelty, he backed them up with play in the last two games.

The second-year center from Argentina averaged 10.2 points and 7.8 rebounds in the series.

Oberto did not match up as well against Phoenix and averaged only 3.0 points and 2.5 rebounds in 13.7 minutes per game during the previous series.

Oberto continued to play his workmanlike role nicely Wednesday, recording seven points and 10 rebounds.

Here to stay

If Oberto's 14-point performances in each of the first two games of the series were a novelty, he backed them up with his 11-point, 11-rebound effort in Game 4, providing valuable help in 37 minutes.

Going into Wednesday's game, the second-year center from Argentina was averaging 11.0 points and 7.3 rebounds in the series.

Oberto continued to play his role nicely Wednesday, recording seven rebounds in the first half.

Long turnaround

After the Spurs had only one day off between their close-out game against Phoenix and the opening game with the Jazz, they went into Game 5 knowing that an extended break would be their reward for a victory.

The NBA Finals will not start until next Thursday. The Spurs will be able to stay home until Game 3 in Detroit or Cleveland, nearly two weeks from now.

kkragthorpe@sltrib.com