NBA | Boozer scores 35 points to lift Jazz to clincher over Rockets

HOUSTON - 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 last night's 103-99 win over the Houston Rockets clinched 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 two-games-to-none deficit and win a series. They are 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 playoff series.

Yao Ming also scored 29 for Houston. Deron Williams added 20 for Utah.

Pistons 95, Bulls 69

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. - Detroit coach Flip Saunders said his team is totally different than it was at this time last year because of a renewed focus.

That's not good news for the Chicago Bulls.

Chauncey Billups and Richard Hamilton each scored 20 points, leading the Pistons to a out over Chicago in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference semifinals.

The Pistons are still kicking themselves for losing to the Miami Heat in the conference finals last year - after winning the title in 2004 and coming just short of repeating - and vowed to show how determined they are to at least get back to the NBA finals.

If the Eastern Conference's top-seeded team keeps playing like they have been, they will have a shot.

Detroit was aggressive on defense, getting into passing lanes with their feet and hands, and balanced on offense.

The Pistons will host Game 2 tomorrow 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.