HOUSTON (AP) -Tracy McGrady leaned over in front of his bench as time ran out, his hands on his knees as he absorbed one more playoff failure.
The young Utah Jazz, meanwhile, embraced one another and quietly celebrated after a 103-99 win over the Houston Rockets on Saturday night that gave them their first playoff series victory since the days of John Stockton and Karl Malone.
Carlos Boozer had 35 points, 14 rebounds and five assists in Game 7 for the Jazz, who became only the seventh team since 2001 to come back from a 2-0 deficit and win a series. They’re also just the 19th visiting team to win in 97 Game 7s in playoff history.
McGrady had 29 points and 13 assists, but the seven-time All-Star fell to 0-6 in the playoffs. The Rockets – his Rockets – blew a 2-0 lead for the second time in three seasons. They won twice in Dallas in 2005, then dropped the series in seven games.
The home team had won the previous six games in this series, but all the games at the Toyota Center had gone down to the wire.
This game was the closest one of all. This time, Boozer and the Jazz came up with the plays to finally break through.
Pistons 95, Bulls 69
AUBURN HILLS, Mich. (AP) – Chauncey Billups and Richard Hamilton each scored 20 points, leading Detroit in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference semifinals.
Detroit was aggressive on defense, getting into passing lanes with their feet and hands and balanced on offense.
The Pistons will host Game 2 on Monday night.
Chicago’s Ben Gordon averaged 25.5 points and Andres Nocioni added 12 a game in the first-round sweep over the Heat, but were held to just seven and two points, respectively. Former Piston Ben Wallace had nine points, eight rebounds and a block.
Luol Deng scored 18 and Kirk Hinrich had 15 for the Bulls, who led only once in the series opener.
Detroit took control with a 13-2 run midway through the first quarter, but didn’t put Chicago away until the opening minutes of the fourth.
Three Pistons made 3-pointers in the first 2 minutes of the final quarter for a 19-point lead before going ahead 86-60 a few minutes later.
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