China's Yao Lifts Rockets over Jazz 

Yao Ming scored six of Houston's final eight points and the Rockets regained control of their Western Conference first-round series against the Utah Jazz with a 96-92 win in game five.

The Rockets had be happy to be back in Houston after suffering a pair of double-digit road losses after taking a commanding 2-0 lead.

Utah tied the series with a pair of dominant home wins, including holding Houston to a franchise-playoff low 67 points in game three on Thursday.

The Jazz had a chance to steal but China's giant centre Yao came up big when it mattered.

In the other Western game Monday, Robert Horry lived up to his reputation as San Antonio shaded Denver 96-89 to take a commanding series lead.
 
Jose Calderon scored a career-high 25 points and Andrea Bargnani added 18 as the Toronto Raptors rebounded from two double-digit losses to stave off elimination and beat the New Jersey Nets 98-96 on Tuesday night.

Game 6 is the first-round series is Friday night in New Jersey.

The Raptors led by as many as 17 points in the second half but the Nets got within one in the final minute when Calderon rolled his ankle and lost the ball to Jason Kidd. Vince Carter then hit a 3-pointer to make it 95-94 with 27.6 seconds remaining.

Two free throws by Toronto's Chris Bosh and a putback from Mikki Moore of the Nets made it 97-96. Bosh was fouled again but made just one of two, giving the Nets a chance to tie or go for the win. Carter drove to the basket but Juan Dixon's defense forced him to give up the ball and Bostjan Nachbar's 3-pointer bounced off the rim as time expired.