If this is Jerry Sloan's farewell tour...it probably isn't the way he wanted to begin his final playoff run.

The Utah Jazz are staring at a 2-0 deficit against Houston, with the series shifting back to Salt Lake for game 3.  Sloan's new-look squad is finding out what playoff basketball is all about, faced with the unenviable task of dueling a Houston team loaded with talent.  As expected, the Jazz haven't been able to contain Yao Ming...and Tracy McGrady emerged in the 2nd half of both games to give the Rockets an early series edge.

One wonders how much fight Utah has left.

Game one was a tale of two halves for the Jazz.  After earning a halftime lead, Utah went cold in the 3rd quarter...scoring an abysmal 11 points.  And more importantly, the Rockets started hitting from outside.

The sequel was more of the same, with a slight twist.  Utah held their ground in the 1st half, only to see a small lead dwindle quickly in the 2nd.  The difference for Utah was Carlos Boozer, who stepped up for a career-high 41 points...but it wasn't enough.

So Now What?

The Jazz finished the year with a 31-10 record at home, which suggests that a Houston sweep may be out of the question.  For whatever reason, Utah is an entirely different team at the Delta Center...and should be expected to bounce back on Thursday.  However, if T-Mac and the Rockets can steal one in Utah...the series might as well be done.

Hittin' That High Note

After an explosive game 2, Carlos Boozer has established himself as a force to be reckoned with.  Utah isn't normally a team that relies on individual offense, but when Boozer found his rhythm against Yao Ming...he quickly became the "go-to guy".  He supplemented his mid-range shooting with well-timed drives to the hoop...for which he was awarded 9 trips to the charity stripe.  If Utah hopes to extend this series, he must continue to be a balanced offensive force.

Deron Williams and Matt Harpring both chipped in as well, and should be key factors in the remainder of the series.

Sounds Worse Than Michael Bolton

Of course, not everything sounded sweet for the Jazz in the first 2 games.  Mehmet Okur was virtually invisible, content staying outside the paint laying bricks with mason-like precision.  Andrei Kirilenko added some defensive value, but that was overshadowed by foul trouble and his lack of scoring.

Can the Jazz put it together in time?  Only time will tell...

You Dirty Rant

Now that's out of the way, time for some random observations:

- Is it me, or does Mehmet Okur look like Jughead Jones from the Archie comics?  Think that nickname will catch on?  "Jughead...Jughead..."

- Today's NBA game clearly favors a scoring guard.  Officials allow players like McGrady, Kobe, and other one-on-one scorers to initiate contact...and they can easily get to the free-throw line at will.  Not the case with the big boys in the paint.

- Give Yao Ming a lot of credit for adapting to the NBA.  He's already a world-class whiner like most other pro ballers.  Of course, with Dikembe Mutombo on the bench as his mentor...it shouldn't be surprising.

- What ever happened to free-throw shooting (this one's for you, cuz)?  I know it's overstated, but how can someone routinely hit contested 20-foot jumpers...but struggle with a freebie from 15?  Actually, I have to give Yao some credit for this one...he's no Ben Wallace.

- Someone has to win it all, but is any team truly playing at a championship level?  I don't think so...

Watch your balls...