Rockets Playoff Report: Game 5 vs Utah

|| Game Date: April 30, 2007
|| Game Location: Houston
|| Playoff Round: One
|| Series Record: Rockets 3 - Utah 2
|| Final Score: 96 HOU - 92 UTAH
|| Box Score: Rockets @ Utah Info from NBA.com

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First Quarter - A half empty arena greeted the Rockets when the game started and with only 36% shooting it was a rough start for the team. Yao would shoot only one of nine in the first. It wouldn't be until 4:45 left in the quarter when they would tie it up. Then TMac was fouled hard at about 1:30 left in the quarter. TMac would leave the floor for the locker-room, wincing and holding his hip. TMac would return in the second but not without a new friend, a hip pointer. The Rockets ended the quarter down by two, 23-21.

Second Quarter - Despite having TMac and his hip pointer back on the floor, the Rockets started the quarter down and stayed that way throughout the second. They kept the score close but couldn't seem to find that edge they need over Utah. The refs allowed a lot of contact but the Rockets didn't seem to take advantage of it. The Rockets went on a 12-0 run to close the gap by 1 but ended the half with a weak TMac half pass-half shot to Yao for an airball. Regardless, the Rockets closed to within one of Utah at halftime, 44-43.

Third Quarter - The Rockets came out and tied up the game early with a Battier three pointer. The Rockets continued to keep the score close but fouls and missed shots would once again, rear their ugly heads. Battier would come out to hit another three to give the Rockets the lead with about 8:00 left in the third. TMac would drive a couple of shots to the hoop and the team would find a spark in another Battier three pointer .Shane would go on to shoot five for the night. Cut to the TV and the Reverend Jesse Jackson is giving his prediction for the game, a win for the Rockets, the courtside reporter asks for a prayer. The Reverend replies with an amen. The Rockets would take all the help they could get. The quarter ends with Utah on top 72-68.

Fourth Quarter - Both teams would trade leads for a good portion of the fourth. Juwan, Luther and TMac would start to find some shots and help the Rockets get back on track but Utah would make six in a row to to get within one point with about a minute left in the game. As the game came to a close Okur would commit his final foul sending Yao to the line for two important free throws that put the Rockets up by four with 11.7 left in the game. The final inbounds pass would get tipped and tossed around, finally being caught by Yao and as the final seconds ticked away Utah would foul Yao but the refs wouldn't make the call and time would expire with the Rockets on top, 96-92.

It was really good to see the Rockets again after they went MIA in the last two games. TMac would end the game with 26 points and 16 assists. Yao would chip in 21 points and 15 rebounds. Other notable players would include Shane Battier with five three-pointers and Rafer Alston with 14. The veteran, Juwan Howard would come to life tonight with 12 points. Luther Head would also start to find his shot and contribute 8 points at key moments throughout the game.

It's now back to Utah on Thursday night for a yet to be anounced 7 or 8pm start.

LET'S GO ROCKETS!