NBA Playoffs: Rockets Grab 2-0 Lead over Jazz

The series turns to Utah for Thursday's Game 3.

Salem-News.com SPORTS

HOUSTON - The Rockets needed every bit of Tracy McGrady's clutch performance to ward off Carlos Boozer and the Jazz on Monday.

McGrady scored 20 of his 31 points in the second half as Houston took control for a 98-90 win over Utah and a 2-0 series lead.

Boozer did all he could to carry his team on his back, but he couldn't get them over the hump. He scored a career-high-tying 41 points and grabbed 12 rebounds.

But no other Jazz player scored more than Deron Williams' 15, and, in the end, it was too much McGrady and too much Yao Ming.

Yao tallied 27 points and nine rebounds, and McGrady added 10 rebounds and five assists to his point total.

The series turns to Utah for Thursday's Game 3. Tipoff is set for 9:00 PM ET on NBA TV.

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