Houston beats Utah to take lead in series

Houston Rockets forward Tracy McGrady (C) high fives teammate Juwan Howard, while center Yao Ming of China looks on, as the Rockets beat the Utah Jazz in Game 5 of the NBA Western Conference playoffs in Houston April 30, 2007. [Reuters]

Tracy McGrady scored 26 points and Yao Ming 21 to help the Houston Rockets beat the Utah Jazz 96-92 on Monday and take a 3-2 lead in their first-round NBA playoff series.

Yao clinched victory when he sank two free throws with 11.7 seconds remaining to put the Rockets up by four.

The home team has won every game in the hard-fought best-of-seven series, which now goes back to Salt Lake City for game six on Thursday.

The Rockets did not lead until 8:41 of the third quarter when Shane Battier sank a three-pointer to put Houston 54-52 ahead.

The lead changed hands until the Rockets made a 12-5 run mid-way through the fourth period that put them 91-84 in front and they held on to win.

Carlos Boozer led Utah with 26 points.