News / Sports
NBA Scores: Yao Ming and Tracy McGrady Give Rockets 3-2 Series Lead with Win Over Jazz
Yao Ming scored 21 points and grabbed 15 rebounds while Tracy McGrady scored 27 points and handed out 16 assists as the Houston Rockets beat the Utah Jazz 96-92 to take a 3-2 lead in their Western Conference playoff series.
The Rockets had to hold off a late charge by the Jazz to secure the home-court victory. After McGrady hit a pair of buckets and Ming score don a layup with 3:58 left in the fourth Houston was up by seven but the Jazz went on an 8-2 run to pull within one with 1:12 on the clock.
Utah had a chance to go in front but Mehmet Okur missed a three-pointer and Matt Harpring failed to hit a 16-footer. The Jazz fouled Rafer Alston who hit one of two from the line to give the Rockets a two-point cushion with 20 seconds remaining. With a chance to tie the score Derek Fisher was called for an offensive foul, turning the ball over to the Rockets. Ming then hit a pair from the line to seal the game.
Houston was able to knock down 12 of their 24 three-point attempts with Shane Battier hitting 5-7 from that distance to score all 15 of his points.
Carlos Boozer led the Jazz with 26 points in the loss.
Both teams will meet in Utah on Thursday for game six of their best of seven series.
