HEAT Head Coach Stan Van Gundy

On the game:
“Our starters were below the minutes I thought I had wanted to play them, but it was good to get everyone in the game. I thought that was a real positive thing. The more positive thing, however, was to play the game well and sharply. We didn’t shoot it particularly well, other than Rasual [Butler], who was on fire. Everyone else struggled a little bit, but I thought we moved the ball well. We didn’t turn it over much, and I thought we attacked the zone very well. I also thought our rebounding was outstanding. It was probably the best thing that we did.”

On Rasual Butler:
“I liked the way he has played, but tonight was by far the best. Not only did he go 11 for 14, but I thought the main reason he did was he was looking for his shots, and he shot all good shots. He also got six defensive rebounds. Tonight he played just a solid game and that definitely gives me more confidence in him going into the playoffs.”

On the playoffs:
“The way I look at it, you are going to have to beat someone good. It is not going to be easy, and all of the possible teams are basically down where they are because of injuries and other moves. They are all better than their playoff standings, and you can very reasonably make the case that if all of them had been healthy all year, they would be higher than where they are. So, it is going to be a tough first round match-up.”

HEAT Forward Rasual Butler

On the game:
“I’ve been waiting for a long time for this opportunity and I got it. I just went out there and tried to do the things this team needs me to do. I just tried to concentrate on my role tonight. I have been putting a lot of work in with the assistant coaches and doing whatever I had to do to stay prepared.”

“It felt good to get off the bench and get some playing time. It felt good to be out there amongst my teammates.”

“I tried to not get too excited out there and to have great shot selection.”

HEAT Forward Udonis Haslem

On the game:
“We came out and did what we wanted to do. We executed offensively and defensively. We played with a lot of intensity. We rebounded the ball well.”

On the play of Rasual Butler:
“I was very happy for Rasual (Butler). It is very big to bring a guy off the bench who gets buckets while Dwyane (Wade), Eddie (Jones) and those guys get a little rest. It’s a great boost for us.”

HEAT Center Shaquille O’Neal

On his injury:
“There’s pain, still a lot of swelling and it is bruised. I’m just going to take it day by day and hopefully I’ll be ready by Sunday. I wanted two or three days of practices before the playoffs. This was a freak injury. Throughout my career, I’ve always had freak injuries. I really can’t bend it still. I’ve been doing double and triple treatments. If I can bend it and run and jump then I can go. I’ve done everything legal and it still hurts.”

“I’m the type of person that can turn a negative into a positive just by thinking about it. Even though it’s been a strange few weeks for me, everything happens for a reason. I’ve been getting a lot of mental and physical rest.”

HEAT Guard Dwyane Wade

On the game:
“We came out aggressive. We got the win and got the guys some rest so everything went as planned for us.”

On the absence of Shaquille O’Neal:
“You have to take positive out of it. Guys have had to step up and play well. In the playoffs we are going to need more than five guys. So I think it’s a good thing because guys have been able to gain comfort.”

On the performance of Rasual Butler:
“He’s not just a shooter, he’s a good scorer. To get that off the bench is great. I’m glad he’s gotten his rhythm going into the playoffs. Our bench is going to be very important in the playoffs.”

Charlotte Bobcats Head Coach Bernie Bickerstaff

On the game:
“They played well and made a lot of shots. They are a good basketball team. They are primed and ready for the playoffs. They did a good job on us defensively. Their defense swarmed all night, and we did not have the self-discipline to get that done. They made us a perimeter team.”

On Shaquille O’Neal:
“He dominates the middle, he passes the basketball, and he is a presence. The guy is wearing rings, so basically he knows how to get it done. They will be just fine in the playoffs.

Bobcats Forward Malik Allen

On playing against his former team:
“It was good seeing the guys. It felt a little funny coming back and playing in the AA Arena, but it was good seeing them. I came up with a lot of [the HEAT players]. It was competitive, and I wanted to be competitive. They’re a good bunch of guys.”

On the HEAT without Shaq in the lineup:
“Having been there before, I know how they prepare when the Big Fella’s not going to be out there. They, basically, have a different game. You kind of want to see him out there playing, but then again you’re kind of happy he’s not out there.”

On the HEAT heading into the playoffs:
“The Big Fella’s been there and done it many times. They’ve got a lot of good veteran leadership over there. They’ve been playing too well all season to let the wheels fall off the bus now.”

Bobcats Forward/Center Emeka Okafor

On the game:
“I guess they’re getting ready for that playoff run. They’re tightening up all their nuts and bolts. They were really on target tonight.”