Utah Jazz: Houston wants out of 0-2 hole

It's certainly not usual, but Houston Rockets star Tracy McGrady knows from personal experience that a team that digs itself an 0-2 playoff hole can still win a best-of-7 series.

McGrady, after all, has led teams to 2-0 advantages twice in the past three years and lost both times, including last year against the Utah Jazz. Back in 2005, McGrady's Rockets upset the higher-seeded Dallas Mavericks on the road in the first two games only to become just the third team in NBA history to return home with a 2-0 lead and then go on to lose the series.

Tonight McGrady's Rockets will try to climb back into the series with a victory over the Jazz at EnergySolutions Arena. He knows it won't be easy, however.

"It's a must-win," said McGrady of Game 3 during his post-game press conference on Monday night. "It's even tougher because they are such a great home team. It's so tough to win up there in Salt Lake City. It's going to show what type of team we are."

McGrady, now in his seventh playoffs with his third different team, is constantly reminded by fans and the media that he has never advanced to the second round of the postseason. He said after Monday's game that he doesn't care about the criticism he receives for his teams' playoff failures.

But a rant from Wednesday quoted by the Houston Chronicle shows that he is well aware that he is criticized for things both within and outside his control.

"It's my fault," McGrady told the Chronicle. "It's my fault we missed free throws. It's my fault we lost both games. Blame me. It's my fault we fouled to tie the game up. That's my fault. It's my fault they get easy layups. It's my fault we're not executing well on the offensive end. It's my fault a couple people in the stands ordered Heinekens and they got Budweiser. It's my fault. I'm sorry."

While there was obviously some sarcasm in McGrady's words, the Chronicle reported that he said it with a straight face.

"I am serious," McGrady continued. "It's my fault. Everything is my fault. It's my fault. It's T-Mac's fault. Everybody's blaming me. The Suns. I mean, everybody. That's what it seems like. It's my fault. I'm out there by myself."

McGrady even went on to say that the injuries to starting point guard Rafer Alston and All-Star center Yao Ming were somehow his fault.