Rockets On Full Display In Victory Over Jazz By Dennis L. Silva, II. 2.11.06 Stifling defense. Swift ball movement. Steady outside shooting. This is what we had expected from the Houston Rockets all along. Saturday night against the Utah Jazz, they gave fans a glimpse of what could be. The Rockets used a balanced offense and an impenetrable defense to secure a 102-88 victory before a crowd of 15,629 at the Toyota Center. As has been the case this season, Houston got off to a rocky start, holding a 10-9 lead midway through the first period. Utah was able to attack the offensive glass from the opening minute, as well as force some early turnovers. Six of the Jazz’s first nine points were credited to Rockets giveaways. However, Tracy McGrady awoke to score eight points in the period’s closing three minutes as the Rockets led 20-16 after one. Houston’s onslaught was just beginning when McGrady nailed a 3-pointer from the deep left corner. Rafer Alston (9 points, 13 assists) was able to slice through Utah’s interior defense with ease, and Houston successfully established Yao Ming (27 points, 8 rebounds, 2 blocks) down low. More importantly, Houston’s offense displayed a continuity that had been absent the previous 49 games. The Rockets passed the ball sharply and moved without the ball for the necessary spacing, paving the way for 8-20 (40%) marksmanship from downtown. “We want to be up the floor, that's what he (Alston) does best and he made some good plays again tonight doing that,” Rockets coach Jeff Van Gundy said. “That led to some baskets, but also some fouls, and it's also another way for other guys to get involved offensively because, obviously, in the half-court, we're going to be playing primarily through Yao (Ming) and Tracy (McGrady)." Trailing 47-35 heading into the third quarter, Utah went on a 10-4 run to close to within six before the Rockets broke the game open. McGrady (25 points, 6 rebounds) nailed another triple from the top of the key, Yao scored against a myriad of defenders inside, and Wesley scored 13 points in the period (including three 3-pointers) in midst of a 12-3 Rockets scoring run. Utah would cut its deficit to 13 early in the fourth quarter but would never threaten the rest of the way. “We did a great job of moving the ball tonight,” McGrady said. “Everybody mixed in a couple (of) shots and what sparked us was our defense. Our point guard was getting us into our sets and pushing the ball and making things happen for us." The Rockets go right back to work tomorrow night in the second game of a rare back-to-back set at home. ROCKETS RECAP · Houston had 27 assists. · The Rockets outscored the Jazz 42-34 in the paint. · In his Rockets debut, G Keith Bogans scored 4 points on 2-4 shooting and showed nice athleticism and toughness around the basket. · Houston shot 49% from the floor. · Four of five Utah starters scored in double figures, led by Milt Palacio’s 20. http://www.nba.com/games/20060211/UTAHOU/boxscore.html
