But if this team looks to do damage in the playoffs, a positive contribution off the bench would be helpful.

The Rockets have grown accustomed to getting something from Luther Head, but he has been a non-factor in two playoff games. On Monday, he did not have a field goal in the Rockets' 98-90 win over the Jazz.

"It's a good series. It's not good for some people ¡ª not really for myself ¡ª but we're winning, and that's the good thing," said Head, who is 2-for-11 from the field in the series.

"You can't be mad when you're winning, but you can always try to push yourself to do better. I'll definitely be in here (today) shooting, getting shots up, and hopefully it'll turn around for me."

Nerves before opener

Head, who prior to Game 1 admitted to being more nervous than he has ever been before a basketball game, managed to score six points in 27 minutes in the opener. But he played just 16 minutes in Game 2, going 0-for-3 from the floor.

His only point came on a free throw after Utah was forced to foul with the game decided.

The Rockets' bench was 1-for-9, with Kirk Snyder providing the only field goal.

Typically, the Rockets get 11 points a night from Head and nearly 10 from Juwan Howard. On Monday, Howard's lone points came on two free throws.

The Jazz got 14 points from Matt Harpring, but he played starter's minutes subbing for the ineffective Andrei Kirilenko (scoreless in seven minutes).

Head was active defensively, hustling his way to four rebounds, and helped the offense by contributing four assists. But he wants to help open things up by making a few outside shots.

Shooting rhythm missing

"They're running me off my shots and not giving me any free looks," Head said. "The shots I do get are really off scramble plays, and it's tough to get rhythm that way.

"When you're out there, you have to find a way to get into rhythm. It's tough when you have Mac (Tracy McGrady) and Yao (Ming), but you've got to find your spots. I'm sure when things start to get comfortable, I'll be OK. Thank goodness defense is carrying us."

Head isn't the only shooter looking for rhythm. The Rockets are 13-of-51 on 3-pointers in two games.

Shane Battier laughed heartily when asked what it would be like if the Rockets come out one night and get hot.

"It'll be a beautiful thing," he said. "The beauty of being a shooting team (is that) going down the line, everyone is confident the next one is going in. That's the mentality we've had all year long, and we're not going to change who we are from that standpoint at this point."