Tracy McGrady rebounded from a dismal first half to lead Houston
to an 84-75 win over the Utah Jazz on Saturday, giving the Rockets
a 1-0 lead in their first-round NBA playoff series.
The six-times All Star scored just one point in the first half,
but came alive with 16 points in the third quarter as the Rockets
overcame a 42-33 Utah lead at halftime.
McGrady, who ended the game with 23 points, admitted his
first-half performance was down to playoff pressure.
"It was one of those halves where I couldn't get it going
because I wanted it so bad," said McGrady, who in 10 NBA seasons
has never played on a team that advanced past the first round.
"I told myself at halftime to calm down."
Chinese center Yao Ming kept the Rockets in the game while
McGrady was struggling, leading the team with 28 points and 13
rebounds. Both faced severe defensive pressure from the Jazz, who
double- and triple-teamed them when they got in scoring range.
Utah coach Jerry Sloan praised his team's defense, but said he
knew McGrady, who averaged 24.6 points a game in the regular
season, would eventually erupt offensively.
"Obviously, McGrady had a great second half. We were doing the
best we could but he's a terrific player and it makes it very
difficult to guard him," he said.
The Jazz scored just 11 points in the third quarter and seemed
to lose steam when they missed a lay-up on a 4-on-1 fastbreak,
Sloan said.
Rockets guard Rafer Alston grabbed the rebound and threw the
ball to Yao, alone at the other end of the court, for a dunk that
gave the Rockets a 54-53 lead. The Rockets never trailed again.
"We've got to play a full 48 minutes. We can't have an 11-point
quarter like we did," Sloan said.
The Rockets did not make the playoffs last year and have not won
a post-season series since 1997. The Jazz are in the playoffs for
the first time since 2003.
(China Daily via Agencies April 23, 2007)