News / Sports
NBA Scores: Tracy McGrady Leads Rockets Second Half Surge to Beat Jazz in Game One
Tracy McGrady scored 22 of his 23 points in the second half and Yao Ming added 28 points and 13 rebounds to lead the Houston Rockets past the Utah Jazz 84-75 in game one of their Western Conference playoff series.
Utah started the game cold, missing their first eight shots as the Rockets jumped to an 8-0 lead four minutes into the game. The game quickly turned when Mehemt Okur hit a three-pointer to start a 17-3 run for the Jazz. Rafer Alston then hit a pair of three-pointers for the Rockets to even the score at 17-17 and Houston closed the quarter with a 20-19 lead.
The Jazz opened the second quarter on an 11-2 run and took control of the game as Houston managed just two field goals in the period. The Rockets scored 13 in the quarter with 9 of those points coming from the free-throw line. Ming scored nine of the Rockets 13 with seven coming at the stripe. By the end of the half Utah had a 42-33 lead.
It was the third quarter that the Rockets hit their stride, or at least Tracy McGrady, as the Houston guard overcame a one point half to score 16 in the period. Utah was able to maintain an eight point lead six minutes into the quarter but Houston closed the quarter on an 18-4 run and took a 59-53 advantage into the fourth.
Houston never trailed in the fourth quarter as they built their lead to 80-66 before cruising to the final horn.
The two teams will meet again on Monday night in game two of their best of seven series.
