Houston Rockets forward Tracy McGrady (C) high fives teammate Juwan Howard, while center Yao Ming of China looks on, as the Rockets beat the Utah Jazz in Game 5 of the NBA Western Conference playoffs in Houston April 30, 2007. [Reuters]

Tracy McGrady scored 26 points and Yao Ming 21 to help the Houston Rockets beat the Utah Jazz 96-92 on Monday and take a 3-2 lead in their first-round NBA playoff series.

Yao clinched¹ victory when he sank two free throws with 11.7 seconds remaining to put the Rockets up by four.

The home team has won every game in the hard-fought best-of-seven series, which now goes back to Salt Lake City for game six on Thursday.

The Rockets did not lead until 8:41 of the third quarter when Shane Battier sank a three-pointer to put Houston 54-52 ahead.

The lead changed hands until the Rockets made a 12-5 run mid-way through the fourth period that put them 91-84 in front and they held on to win.

Carlos Boozer led Utah with 26 points.