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Jazz aim to take commanding lead over Rockets in Game Four

Apr 26, 2008 - 2:03 PM Houston at Utah 10:30 pm EDT Western Conference first round Jazz lead, 2-1

SALT LAKE CITY (Ticker) - Through two games, the Houston Rockets gave their fans little reason to believe they could return to Texas. Instead, the Utah Jazz may have provided them with a glimmer of hope.

The Jazz hope to overcome a rare home loss when they face the Rockets in a pivotal Game Four on Saturday in their Western Conference first-round series.

Utah looked to be in total command of this series after winning twice in Houston. However, the Rockets welcomed back point guard Rafer Alston - who missed the first two games - and got some inspired play from rookie Carl Landry to steal Game Three from Utah on Thursday, 94-92.

Alston had 20 points and five assists while Landry had 11 rebounds and two blocks, overcoming an elbow from Carlos Boozer that knocked out a tooth in first half to block Jazz guard Deron Williams' potential game-tying shot with three seconds left in the game.

Tracy McGrady, who had scored just one point combined in the fourth quarter of the first two games, scored seven straight during a late 10-0 run that gave the Rockets enough breathing room to put themselves back into the series. He finished with 27 points.

"We did a lot of great things this season," McGrady said. "We won 22 games (in a row), we overcame the big loss of Yao (Ming) and were still able to make the playoffs. But this was the biggest win of the season. It really was. ... We played with a lot of passion, a lot of heart, kept our composure and, down the stretch of the ballgame, we did a great job."

Despite the series lead, Williams understands the importance of any loss, especially one at a place where his team was a league-best 37-4 at home during the regular season.

"It's definitely dangerous, because they feel they can win against us," Williams said. "I think they feel if they can beat us in our gym, they can beat us anywhere. We definitely put ourselves in a pressure situation, and I think the next game for us is a must-win. We've got to come out and fight a little bit harder."

Even though it did not make a difference in the first two games of the series, Utah continues to struggle at the free-throw line. After making 68 percent (27-for-40) in the first two games, the Jazz shot just 61 percent (20-for-33) in Thursday's loss, including four of six in the fourth quarter.

Still, given their high degree of home success this season as well as their franchise history - Utah has led 13 playoff series 2-0 and ended up losing only two, the last coming to Dallas in 2001 - the Jazz understand a win on Saturday still puts the pressure squarely on the Rockets.

"We're just focusing on this next game," Williams said. "We had a slip-up at home, but we're a great home team and I expect us to come out a little better next game and try to execute our game plan a little bit better."