Houston Rockets Defeats Utah Jazz
NBA playoff teams that have lost their first two games claimed their first victories and now have a chance to turn the series around.
The Houston Rockets edged the Utah Jazz 94-92 yesterday in Game Three of the Western Conference quarterfinals at EnergySolutions Arena in Salt Lake City.
The Rockets, who lost twice at home, claimed their first win at an away game.
The Rockets Tracy McGrady set the pace scoring 27 points with seven assists and five rebounds, while Luis Scola had a double-double with 16 points with 10 rebounds.
Utahs Carlos Boozer (15 points and 13 rebounds) and Mehmet Okur (12 points and 11 rebounds) both had double-doubles but couldnt come through during crunch time.
The game was a nail-biter till the end.
Six points down in the fourth quarter, McGrady scored seven straight points to spur the Rockets to a 92-86 lead with 1:42 left.
But Houston allowed consecutive three-pointers from Kyle Korver and Okur, giving the Jazz a slim 93-92 with 0:37 left. However the Rockets managed to garner the victory thanks to Scolas free throw from a Korver foul.
Meanwhile, the Washington Wizards blew out the Cleveland Cavaliers 108-72 at home. The Wizards claimed their first win after losing the first two games.
The Wizards made eight consecutive three-pointers, shooting 52.1 percent from behind the arc. All five starters had double-figures including DeShawn Stevenson who had 19 points.
League MVP LeBron James was off his game with 22 points and seven rebounds for the Cavaliers. James and Devin Brown were the only Cavs in double-figures while the other starters were anemic. The Cavs had 23 turnovers.
The Toronto Raptors closed in their series, making 2-1 by defeating the Orlando Magic 108-94. Six Raptors scored double-figures.
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