Rockets Playoff Report: Game 7 vs Utah

|| Game Date: May 5, 2007
|| Game Location: Houston
|| Playoff Round: One
|| Series Record: Rockets 3 - Utah 4
|| Final Score: 103 UTAH - 99 HOU
|| Box Score: Utah @ Rockets Info from NBA.com

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First Quarter - The first quarter of game seven started out with the score going back and forth and with Yao, TMac, Battier, Dikembe getting into scoring mode. Utah came out scoring and with first quarter shooting at 65%. The Rocket shot about 50% but without TMac attacking the basket the Rockets failed to take the lead into the second and Utah would lead 29-22.

Second Quarter - The Rockets start out with fouls and down by 11 a couple of minutes into the second. They continued to struggle into the second and at about 6:30 Tmac came down from a shot and tweaked his ankle, grimacing and limping. He would continue to play but the Rockets would struggle to score until they went on a 11-2 run with two minutes left in the quarter. Utah would continue to keep their edge over the Rockets and end the half with a 10 point lead, 53-43.

Third Quarter - Both teams came out of the half strong and scoring. Yao would pick up his third foul two minutes into the third but stay in the game and at 9:27 left in the third, Yao would go to the floor clinching his right knee. After a few painful moments the verdict after numerous replays on TV would be a painful hyperextension, but Yao would continue to play and cut the score down by five with about 8:00 left in the third on a 9-1 run. But Utah would score at will while the Rockets watched and Yao picked up his fourth foul with four minutes left. The Rockets would still trail in the third, 75-67.

Fourth Quarter - Fourth and final quarter of this series started with the Rockets scoring and cutting away that Utah lead to within one while on a 10-0 run with about 10:15 left but Utah would pick up a few points to keep the lead. The Rockets would continue to chip away the score and Rafer would get a big three to tie it up at about 8:00 left in the game. The Rockets would go on a 10-1 run and lead with 7:00 left 84-80. At 6:55 left Yao would go out with 5 fouls and Utah would tie it up at 4:58 left at 88 all. Okur would hit a cruicial three pointer with 3:25 left and tie it up at 91. Utah would continue to convert and keep the lead and the Rockets would allow Utah second chance points that would kill the Rockets. With 1.7 seconds left in the game, Kirilenko would be fouled and ice the game with two free throws that would put them up by four. The last 1.7 seconds wouldn't even matter as the Rockets missed the final shot and Utah would win the first round of these playoffs 103-99.

There's not much to sum up, the Rockets failed to make the huge plays that are needed in the final minutes of a game seven to win. If it was really up to TMac he probably should have driven more to the basket. The Rockets do seem to do best when he attacks, especially when the team had more than seven minutes of Utah being in the penalty. The Rockets failed to take advantage of the opportunities that were available to them. Utah would come out on top because of their rebounding and tenacious shooting.

Next up for the Rockets, the off season. Some golf, some fishing, maybe a little vacation and some much needed rest so that they can do it all again next season.

Thanks for another season of NBA basketball. See ya next year Rockets.