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Rockets vs. Jazz Game Thread/Jazz Advance

KFDM COOP

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KFDM COOP

KFDM COOP

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Rockets win Game 5 over Jazz to keep series alive

That is how you send a message. Tracy McGrady had said that it was time the Rockets made some sort of point, but it he did not say what he had in mind, as if he was still formulating ideas ranging from strong drives to harder fouls.

The Rockets hit with a determined offense and tremendous defense, to more than survive, but to thrive.

With the Rockets facing elimination from another post-season first-round, the Rockets fought back in the only way that really matters. They held the Jazz to fewer points than any team has ever scored in a playoff game against the Rockets, pummeling Utah, 95-69, on Tuesday, to send the best-of-seven series to Game 6 at 9:30 on Friday with the Jazz leading, 3-2.

The Rockets defense shackled the Jazz defense throughout, then surged through a spectacular second-quarter and determined second half.

The Jazz made just 27 of 74 shots (36.5 percent), falling eight points shy of the fewest the Jazz had scored in a game this season.

McGrady drove the offense with his best-shooting, most complete game of the series, scoring 29 points on 13 of 26 shooting. But the Rockets found contributions all over the court. Luis Scola had 18 points and 12 rebounds. Rafer Alston made 5 of 9 shots for 14 points with six assists. And the Rockets bench outscored Utah’s, 26-9.

The Rockets did hit a lull early in the second half. But in keeping with much of the night, they even turned that into a good thing, using it to spur them on to six spectacular minutes that took control of the game.

Leading by 15 less than a minute into the second half, the Rockets went five possessions without getting a good look at the basket, with McGrady committing two turnovers that turned into Jazz points, and Shane Battier a third.

With the Jazz within 47-40 with an 8-0 run, McGrady scored on a drive before Alston passed to Scola for consecutive fast break layups.

Carlos Boozer settled things down for the Jazz with consecutive baskets. But the Rockets rolled through a 12- run, with Rafer Alston hitting a pair of 3s, McGrady hitting a jumper and Scola and Alston finishing drives to put the Rockets ahead, 70-48 with 2 ½ minutes before the fourth quarter.

The Jazz crept to within 15 as the Rockets missed their first six shots of the fourth quarter. But Carl Landry put in the rebound of a McGrady drive, before McGrady scored the game’s next six points, pushing the lead back to a safe 23.

From there, it did not take much to close it out. The Rockets did not score easily, but their defense was not about to allow enough scoring to change anything.

When McGrady put in a turnover jumper with 3:51 left, the lead was back to 20 and Jazz coach Jerry Sloan had seen enough, quickly clearing his bench with 3:42 left.

By halftime, however, the Rockets already had to know they could not have hoped for much more.

After a terrible shooting start, in which the Rockets made just 3 of 12 shots through the first eight minutes, they found a way to an 18-16 first quarter lead, then took off at the start of the second quarter, building their lead to 17 – the largest lead either team had in the series or that the Rockets had built against the Jazz this season or last.

The Jazz rallied a bit in the final minutes of the half, but the Rockets still went to the locker room with their first halftime lead, 43-32, of this season’s or last season’s series.

Bobby Jackson came back from his 1 for 10 Game 4 to provide a huge lift to start the second quarter, making 3 of 4 shots and scoring nine points in eight second-quarter minutes.

Chuck Hayes helped shut down Carlos Boozer, as he has through stretches of the series, but also scored on a one-on-one drive to a turnaround jump hook.

But more than anything, the Rockets hit the Jazz with their strongest defensive performance of the series. As well as the Rockets have played defensively, holding the Jazz 16 points shy of their season average, the 32 points Utah scored in the first half was their fewest of the season.

The Rockets did not quite keep up the heady pace of most of the half. After a Hayes follow, they scored just four points in the first 4 ½ minutes of the half. But they started the second half with McGrady hitting a jumper and then passing to Scola for a layup, the lead was back to 15, and the Rockets kept pushing to see how long they could make it last.

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Utah is a very hard place to play at. They have the loudest fans in the NBA. Utah has more pressure on them all im worried about is I hope they dont come in pissed off and start making every shots. Rockets have to keep the crowd out of the game to win this.

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Guest JoesBros

Guest JoesBros

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We just didnt show up in the second half. Im not blaming this on Tracy cause he did everything he could do to carry this team. It sucked that Yao wasnt playing because you had no size inside. The role players didnt step up when Tracy needed them. All in all is was a great season. 22 game win streak and this team was better than last years IMO. On a personal note im going to miss listening to the games on the radio cause the legendary voices of the Rockets Jim Peterson and Jim Foley retired after the loss last night. When I think of Rocketes basketball I think of Rudy T, Calvin, Ralph Sampson, Dream, Clyde, and no doubt Jim and Gene. You guys will be missed.

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