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Rockets Take 3-2 Lead Over Jazz
Yao Ming scored 21 points, sealing the victory with two free throws with 11 seconds left. Yao also grabbed 15 rebounds, the last one in the closing seconds after Deron Williams missed a desperation 3-pointer. Back home after two lethargic losses in Utah, the Rockets rediscovered their shooting touch, going 35-for-75 from the field (47 percent) and 12-for-24 from 3-point range. They also outrebounded Utah 42-39. The Rockets can clinch their first postseason series victory since 1997 in Game 6 on Thursday in Utah. Utah dominated the first two games there and hasn't lost to Houston at home since March 2005. Read the Full Story Discuss Send Feedback Buy Tickets Sloan Says No Truth To Kirilenko Trade RumorsAndrei Kirilenko's tearful meltdown last Sunday over his reduced role and poor play may have prompted some not in-the-know to speculate the Jazz might consider trading their starting small forward from Russia this offseason. But Jazz coach Jerry Sloan — his club still involved in a first-round NBA playoff series with Houston — squashed that notion before Saturday's late-starting Game 4. "That's all people talking," Sloan said. "I mean, people can say anything they want — which they do, and I don't have a problem with that, other than I would appreciate people being a little more fair and honest about it instead of off-the-cuff stuff that's not true." The truth, Sloan suggested, is that Kirilenko is a critical component of a Jazz core he hopes to have together for years to come. "I don't look to trade players," he said. "That's when people (other teams) come in and they think you're gonna have ... a fire-sale." Read the Full Story Discuss Send Feedback Buy Tickets Okur, Jazz Even Series With Rockets
Deron Williams added 25 points, including 11 in the third quarter. Utah outscored Houston 33-17 in the period and again flustered the Rockets into a listless second half while tying the series at two games apiece. Read the Full Story Discuss Send Feedback Buy Tickets Jazz Apr 2007 Archive
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Tracy McGrady had 26 points and a career-high 16 assists, and the Rockets beat the Jazz 96-92 on Monday night to take a 3-2 lead in their best-of-seven series.
Mehmet Okur broke out of his scoring slump with 16 points, stifled Yao Ming defensively, and the Jazz evened their first-round series with a 98-85 victory over the Rockets on Saturday night in Game 4.