Jazz look to ground Rocket men

HOUSTON — It's not exactly John Stockton and Karl Malone.

But with All-Stars Tracy McGrady and Yao Ming, the Houston Rockets pack one heck of a one-two wallop — and the Jazz know it.

Oh, do they ever.

The first time the teams faced off this season, McGrady had 25 points and Yao 22.

That was in Utah's first game of the regular season, and the Jazz won anyway.

Next time the two tangoed was in early January, and — with Yao out injured — the Rockets won behind McGrady's 44.

Yao was back for the third meeting on April 1. The Jazz won again, but this time the 7-foot-6 center from China went for 35 while swingman McGrady managed 20.

Tonight the teams play in Houston as 4-5 seeds in the first game of their NBA Western Conference playoff series.

"We've got to try to find a way to, you know, 'contain' Yao Ming and Tracy McGrady," Jazz point guard Deron Williams. "Those two guys can go off together, or individually. We've just got to find a way to somewhat slow 'em down."

But how?

That is the question the Jazz must answer if they are to advance to the postseason's second round for the first time since 2000, and one which they've pondered since ending the regular season with a win Wednesday over — go figure — the Rockets.

"They probably play a little bit more (halfcourt offense than even the Jazz), because they've got a guy they can go inside to (Yao) all the time," Jazz coach Jerry Sloan said. "And they've got the guy outside (McGrady) that can create any kind of situation they want, because of his athletic ability. He's just a great player."

Trying to decide on whom to focus presents a terrific dilemma for the Jazz.

If it's Yao, who's been picked to play in five NBA All-Star Games, the challenge is tall.

"They're gonna make sure he has opportunities to be in the right place," said Sloan, who'll counter with Mehmet Okur and backup center Jarron Collins. "Trying to defend him is a monumental task.

"I guess you can try different things, but he's well-complemented with his team," the Jazz coach added. "It's not like they can't make 3-point shots. That put a lot more pressure on you."

If it's McGrady, though, the chore is no simpler.

"He's a very all-around player," Jazz small forward Andrei Kirilenko said of the seven-time All-Star. "He can shoot the ball, he can drive, he can make contact and finish with the foul. So, you can't really choose the (defense) against him. You can't get so close, because he's gonna drive. You can't give him space, because he's gonna shoot."

So what do you do?

"You force him to step back, shoot the ball," Kirilenko said. "Make him feel — not nervous but — out of rhythm."