Rockets up 2-0 despite Boozers’ 41

Tracy McGrady scored 31 points and the Houston Rockets had an exceptional night at the free throw line to overcome Carlos Boozer’s huge game.

The Rockets went 34 for 38 from the line in a 98-90 victory over the Utah Jazz on Monday night in Houston and took a 2-0 lead in their first-round playoff series.

Boozer matched a career high with 41 points, tossing in jumpers from all angles over 7-foot-6 Yao Ming. He finished 17 of 30 from the field and had 12 rebounds and six assists.

But Boozer dribbled the ball off his foot with 20 seconds to play and Yao finished off the Jazz with two more free throws with 12 seconds remaining.

Yao had 27 points and hit all nine of his free throws. McGrady went 12 of 14 from the line.

The Rockets missed 15 of their first 21 shots while the Jazz started 12 of 20 to build a nine-point lead.

The Jazz were called for 29 personal fouls playing the tough, physical defense that’s been their trademark under coach Jerry Sloan.

The Rockets went 4 for 24 from 3-point range.

Game 3 is Thursday in Salt Lake City.

The Jazz have never come back from an 0-2 deficit to win a playoff series. They have lost 16 of their last 17 road playoff games.

Pistons 98, Magic 90: At Auburn Hills, Mich., Richard Hamilton scored 22 points, one of four Pistons with at least 17, to lead Detroit to a victory over Orlando and a 2-0 lead in their first-round series.

Hedo Turkoglu scored 22 points and Grant Hill had 21 for Orlando to prevent it from being a rout, but their teammates – particularly Dwight Howard – didn’t do enough to give the Magic any shot at evening the best-of-7 series.

Howard was held to eight points and didn’t score in the second half until the final minute, when the game was essentially over.

Each of Detroit’s starters scored at least 10 points and top reserve Antonio McDyess added nine points and 11 rebounds.

Detroit point guard Chauncey Billups had 21 points, eight assists and only one turnover. Tayshaun Prince scored 18 points, while Rasheed Wallace had 17 points, 11 rebounds and three blocks. Chris Webber added 10 points and nine rebounds.

Game 3 is Thursday night in Orlando.

Off the court

Leandro Barbosa ran away with the NBA’s Sixth Man Award, receiving 101 of a possible 127 first-place votes from a media panel. … LeBron James says his sprained left ankle – swollen, sore and stiff – won’t keep him out of the playoffs. … Washington Wizards forward Caron Butler had the cast removed from his broken right hand and was told to avoid contact for a week to 10 days. … New Orleans Hornets point guard Chris Paul had a screw inserted in his left foot and will likely be unable to train with the U.S. basketball team this summer. … Chicago Bulls guard Kirk Hinrich was fined $25,000 by the NBA for throwing his mouthpiece into the stands during a playoff victory over the Miami Heat.