Rockets-Jazz: Can the Rockets bounce back?
Posted by Houston Sports Nut on April 21, 2008
The Houston Rockets didn’t look good in Game 1 of their Western Conference first-round playoff series against the Utah Jazz. The Jazz took home court advantage by dominating in the fourth quarter en route to a 93-82 victory at Toyota Center on Saturday to take a 1-0 lead in the best-of-seven series.
The Rockets missed layups (19 according to the NBA.com play-by-play), free throws (missed 11 of 29 attempts, hitting at a 62 percent clip) and were dominated on the boards when it counted (even though the teams ended up with 41 boards apiece).
Tracy McGrady was absent in the fourth quarter - of his 21 points on the night, zero of them came in the fourth quarter (he only took three shots). McGrady finished 7-for-21 shooting and never looked comfortable.
Meanwhile, the Utah tandem of Carlos Boozer (20 points, 16 rebounds) and Deron Williams (20 points, 11 assists) looked as if they were in the comfy confines of EnergySoultions arena, each going for double-doubles. Andrei Kirilenko (team-high 21 points) and 3-point specialist Kyle Korver (11 points off the bench) had their way with the Rockets, who didn’t play their trademark tough defense in crunch time.
Gut check time for McGrady and the Rox
Yes, the Rockets are without Rafer Alston. Yes, they’re without Yao Ming, as they have been the last part of the season. Still, does that mean they should lie down and die a quick death? Or more importantly, will they?
With the Jazz sporting a 37-4 record this season at home, the Rockets have no choice but to win Game 2 on Monday as well as steal a game in Salt Lake City at some point. Can they do it?
