This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2007, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Posted: 8:41 PM- HOUSTON - The Jazz were right, Tracy McGrady wasn't finished.
Shaking off an early hip injury, the seven-time All-Star erupted for 15 of his game-high 26 points in the second half to lift his Houston Rockets past the Jazz 96-92 in Game 5 of their first-round playoff series at the Toyota Center on Monday night.
The loss means the Jazz must win Game 6 at home on Thursday to avoid elimination.
The Jazz had chances to win in the final minute, but missed their final four shots while the Rockets made their final three free throws in the last 20.5 seconds to secure the victory. The Jazz's Derek Fisher was called for a crucial charging foul with 12.4 seconds left that doomed the comeback effort.
Carlos Boozer led the Jazz with 26 points and eight rebounds, while Fisher added 17 points and Deron Williams had 13. But the Jazz managed only 20 points in the fourth quarter.
Not only did McGrady score 26 points, but he had a career high 16 assists as he finally enjoyed some supporting help.
Yao Ming had 21 points and 15 rebounds, while Shane Battier scored 15 points with five three-pointers, and Rafer Alson added 14 points.