Bobby Jackson, an 11-year veteran, and rookie Aaron Brooks were supposed to think more about passing than shooting in Monday's Game 2, according to their coach, but they delivered enough scoring to keep their team close in a 90-84 loss.
The two combined for 29 points on 12 of 26 shooting, a big upgrade from their 4-for-22 effort in Game 1.
Coach Rick Adelman was not really looking for the guards to score so much, after watching them struggle to finish drives to the basket Saturday.
"We have to be more efficient," Adelman said before Monday's game. "We have to penetrate with the idea of kicking it to people."
As it was, Jackson scored the Rockets' first two baskets - on a drive, followed by a jump shot. Brooks made consecutive baskets in the second quarter on drives past Deron Williams.
Alston hopes to play in Thursday's Game 3 at EnergySolutions Arena.
"This is what you dream about all summer: You want to come back and, obviously, play against the team that beat you in the playoffs the year before," Alston said.
Crowd factor
Adelman was hoping for more support from the home crowd Monday, in the sense of having his team's play justify the backing. Saturday, the fans were particularly vocal only during the Rockets' flurry early in the third quarter.
"You've got to get people excited by what's going on, on the floor," Adelman said. "Frankly, the way we played the other night, people wanted to cheer - but they didn't want to cheer for Utah. So we have to make something happen."
Numbers game
The Jazz took a nine-point lead into Monday's second quarter, so in six playoff games in Houston over two years, the Rockets have faced second-period deficits of seven, nine (twice), 10, 13 and 16 points. . . . The Rockets won the second quarter 24-21, after being slightly outscored in each of the first five periods of the series. Yet the Jazz's 47-41 edge meant they've led at halftime in all six playoff games in Houston. . . After going 7-for-7 in Game 1, Houston forward Shane Battier missed his first three shots Monday. . . . The Rockets were 0-for-7 from three-point range in the first half, making them 6-for-29 in the series.
kkragthorpe@sltrib.com
