T-Mac, Rockets Beat Boozer, Jazz 98-90

By CHRIS DUNCAN

HOUSTON – Tracy McGrady scored 31 points and the Houston Rockets had an exceptional night at the free throw line to overcome Carlos Boozer’s huge game. The Rockets went 34-for-38 from the line in a 98-90 victory over the Utah Jazz on Monday night and took a 2-0 lead in their first-round playoff series.

Boozer matched a career high with 41 points, tossing in jumpers from all angles over 7-foot-6 Yao Ming. He finished 17-of-30 from the field and had 12 rebounds and six assists.

But Boozer dribbled the ball off his foot with 20 seconds to play and Yao finished off the Jazz with two more free throws with 12 seconds remaining.

Yao had 27 points and hit all nine of his free throws. McGrady went 12-for-14 from the line.

The Jazz were 13-for-17 from the free throw line.

Chuck Hayes, whose wife gave birth on Saturday, had 12 points and 12 rebounds for the Rockets, who have won seven of eight playoff series when they led 2-0.

Game 3 is Thursday night in Salt Lake City.

Since 2001, only six teams have rallied from an 0-2 deficit to win a series. The Rockets were one of the teams that blew a 2-0 lead, losing four of five to Dallas in 2005.

The Jazz have never come back from an 0-2 deficit to win a playoff series. They have lost 16 of their last 17 road playoff games.

The Jazz were called for 29 personal fouls playing the tough, physical defense that’s been their trademark under coach Jerry Sloan.

The Rockets, a 75 percent free throw shooting team during the regular season, gladly took advantage, making 29 of 32 in the second half in winning for the 10th time in 14 games.

The Jazz have dropped eight of their last 13, a late swoon that cost them homecourt advantage in this series.

But Boozer looked right at home on Monday night, scoring 15 of Utah’s first 17 points. He had only 11 points in Game 1.

The Rockets missed 15 of their first 21 shots, while the Jazz started 12-for-20 to build a nine-point lead.

Rafer Alston made Houston’s first 3-pointer three minutes into the second quarter after the Rockets missed their first eight attempts. Yao beat Mehmet Okur for two layups to cut Utah’s lead to 31-28.

After the hot start, Boozer missed four straight shots, part of Utah’s 4-for-16 second quarter as the Rockets got within 41-39 at halftime.

Yao started the second half with a three-point play that gave the Rockets their first lead. But Boozer rediscovered his touch with two perimeter jumpers and the Jazz went back ahead.

Boozer scored 10 points in the third quarter, but the rest of the Jazz missed 11 of 16 shots.

Shane Battier swished his second 3-pointer and Yao hit a turnaround as the Rockets opened the final quarter with a 9-2 spurt to stretch their lead to 76-64.

Near the 5-minute mark, Utah point guard Deron Williams collided with Battier near midcourt and crumpled to the floor. Battier was called for a foul and Williams remained on the court for several minutes with his hands over his face.

Trainers attended to Williams and after a Utah timeout, Williams stayed in the game.

Yao and Alston missed layups on consecutive possessions and the Jazz trimmed Houston’s lead to 84-80 on baskets by Okur and Boozer.

But McGrady made two free throws with 3:13 left as chants of "MVP! MVP!" echoed through the Toyota Center.

Hayes pulled down his seventh offensive rebound and scored on a putback with 2:21 left to push the lead to 90-80.

Boozer broke free for a dunk and hit another jumper over Yao to draw Utah within six. But the Rockets hit 10 of their last 12 free throws to secure the victory.

Notes:@ Boozer reached 30 points for the 11th time this season and recorded his 54th double-double. … The Rockets went 4-for-24 from 3-point range. … Utah’s Andrei Kirilenko, who cried in front of reporters on Sunday because of reduced playing time in the opener, was no factor again. He picked up five fouls and didn’t score in 15 ineffective minutes.