GAME THREAD: GAME THREAD: NBA: HOUSTON (1-0) at UTAH (1-0)

NBA: HOUSTON (1-0) at UTAH (1-0)

<h3>Rockets, Jazz both trying for 2-0 starts</h3>

<div class="pre">Houston (1-0) at Utah (1-0) 9:00 pm EDT</div>

SALT LAKE CITY (Ticker) - After starting their season with wins,the Houston Rockets and Utah Jazz meet Thursday.


The Rockets began their new campaign with a thrilling 95-93 winover the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday. After leading amajority of the game, the Rockets allowed the Lakers to tie thegame at 92-92 before Shane Battier hit the game-winning3-pointer with two seconds remaining.


While Battier hit the key shot, superstars Tracy McGrady and YaoMing also contributed to the triumph. McGrady scored 30 pointswhile Yao added 25 with 12 rebounds.


McGrady and Yao are looking to follow up strong campaigns in2006-07. McGrady averaged 24.6 points in 71 games while Yaoaveraged 25 while contributing 9.4 rebounds.


The Jazz, meanwhile, began the new season with a 117-96 rout ofthe Golden State Warriors on Tuesday. Carlos Boozer scored 32points in the contest and grabbed 12 rebounds.


Boozer, who averaged 20.6 points and 11.7 rebounds a game lastseason, is trying to help Utah return to the Western Conferencefinals, where it was ousted by the eventual-champion San AntonioSpurs last season.

 

NBA: HOUSTON at UTAH

<div class="pre">HOUSTON AT UTAH - PROBABLE STARTING LINEUPS


HOUSTON UTAH

F Shane Battier F Andrei Kirilenko
F Chuck Hayes F Carlos Boozer
C Yao Ming C Mehmet Okur
G Tracy McGrady G Deron Williams
G Rafer Alston G Ronnie Brewer

OFFICIALS: Bill Kennedy
Eddie F. Rush
Pat Fraher</div>

 

NBA: HOUSTON at UTAH

<div class="pre">HOUSTON VS UTAH - INACTIVES

HOUSTON UTAH

PLAYER NAME REASON PLAYER NAME REASON
S NOVAK COACH'S DECISION M ALMOND COACH'S DECISION
A BROOKS COACH'S DECISION K FESENKO COACH'S DECISION
C LANDRY COACH'S DECISION</div>

 

NBA: HOUSTON at UTAH

<div class="pre">NBA HOUSTON 4
UTAH 11 8:55 LEFT, 1ST QTR</div>

 

NBA: HOUSTON at UTAH

<div class="pre">NBA HOUSTON 8
UTAH 20 5:53 LEFT, 1ST QTR</div>

 

NBA: HOUSTON at UTAH

<div class="pre">NBA HOUSTON 14
UTAH 22 2:05 LEFT, 1ST QTR</div>

 

NBA: HOUSTON at UTAH

<div class="pre">NBA HOUSTON 24
UTAH 29 END, 1ST QTR</div>

 

NBA: HOUSTON at UTAH

<div class="pre">NBA END 1ST QTR 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
HOUSTON 24 24
UTAH 29 29 END 1ST QTR

HIGH SCORERS AFTER 1ST QUARTER

HOU - TRACY MCGRADY 13, MIKE JAMES 5, RAFER
ALSTON 3
UTH - CARLOS BOOZER 9, RONNIE BREWER 6, MEHMET
OKUR 5</div>

 

NBA: HOUSTON at UTAH

<div class="pre">NBA HOUSTON 34
UTAH 33 8:55 LEFT, 2ND QTR</div>

 

NBA: HOUSTON at UTAH

<div class="pre">NBA HOUSTON 41
UTAH 39 5:57 LEFT, 2ND QTR</div>

 

NBA: HOUSTON at UTAH

<div class="pre">NBA HOUSTON 48
UTAH 44 3:01 LEFT, 2ND QTR</div>

 

NBA: HOUSTON at UTAH

<div class="pre">NBA HOUSTON 57
UTAH 49 HALFTIME</div>

 

NBA: HOUSTON at UTAH

<div class="pre">NBA HALFTIME 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
HOUSTON 24 33 57
UTAH 29 20 49 HALFTIME

HIGH SCORERS AT HALFTIME

HOU - TRACY MCGRADY 26, MIKE JAMES 8, LUIS
SCOLA 5
UTH - CARLOS BOOZER 13, MEHMET OKUR 10, DERON
WILLIAMS 9</div>

 

NBA: HOUSTON at UTAH

<div class="pre">NBA HOUSTON 59
UTAH 57 9:07 LEFT, 3RD QTR</div>

 

NBA: HOUSTON at UTAH

<div class="pre">NBA HOUSTON 70
UTAH 61 5:56 LEFT, 3RD QTR</div>

 

NBA: HOUSTON at UTAH

<div class="pre">NBA HOUSTON 73
UTAH 63 2:42 LEFT, 3RD QTR</div>

 

NBA: HOUSTON at UTAH

<div class="pre">NBA HOUSTON 78
UTAH 66 END, 3RD QTR</div>

 

NBA: HOUSTON at UTAH

<div class="pre">NBA END 3RD QTR 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
HOUSTON 24 33 21 78
UTAH 29 20 17 66 END 3RD QTR

HIGH SCORERS AFTER 3RD QUARTER

HOU - TRACY MCGRADY 36, RAFER ALSTON 8, MIKE
JAMES 8
UTH - CARLOS BOOZER 20, DERON WILLIAMS 13,
RONNIE BREWER 13</div>

 

NBA: HOUSTON at UTAH

<div class="pre">NBA HOUSTON 84
UTAH 72 9:12 LEFT, 4TH QTR</div>

 

NBA: HOUSTON at UTAH

<div class="pre">NBA HOUSTON 89
UTAH 80 5:53 LEFT, 4TH QTR</div>