[Lefty Noob]

The Houston Rockets are now one win away from bouncing the Utah Jazz.

According to the Associated Press, "Tracy McGrady was hitting shots and giving out assists at a record pace. Yao Ming was grabbing rebounds and dominating inside... McGrady had 26 points and a career-high 16 assists, Yao had 21 points and 15 rebounds, and the Rockets beat the Jazz 96-92 on Monday night to take a 3-2 lead in their first-round series." Can Houston close out the series on Thursday?

[Basketball News]

Basically, Tracy McGrady did a little of everything to put the Rockets on the brink of advancing to the Western Conference semifinals.

Shaking off a hip injury in the first quarter and a frustrating weekend in Salt Lake City, McGrady delivered a breakout performance Monday night to carry the Rockets to a 96-92 victory over the Utah Jazz in Game 5 of their first round playoff series at Toyota Center.

The seven-time All-Star scored 15 of his game-high 26 points in the second half and dished out a career-best 16 assists to lift Houston to a 3-2 lead in the best-of-seven series.

The Rockets will have their first shot at eliminating the Jazz when they visit Salt Lake City on Thursday night for Game 6.

McGrady heats up to lift Rockets to Game 5 win