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| Wednesday, February 3, 2010 Final Score: Oklahoma City 103, New Orleans 99 Hornets Post Game Quotes
On the game: “The game is going to be divided by who can make the most plays and how well you play every night... I like the chances in close games with this group. We have to continue to adjust to our personnel exactly and we have to continue to improve.” On adjustments Coach Bower would like to see improve: “Mostly we just need to have a little bit more of a balance on our offensive game.” On not being able to capitalize on the fourth quarter comeback: “Our strategies were pretty effective for different stretches of the game; they did execute well. They moved the ball well, they made some good plays out of it, and when we moved the ball; we were fairly efficient offensively. But I think the story of the game was our inability to get them under control, particularly [Russell] Westbrook early on in the game.”
On the game: “We just couldn’t make plays down the stretch to close the game out. We tried to come out and be aggressive, but it just went in a different direction in the fourth quarter. Unfortunately, we couldn’t pull it out.” On playing in many close games lately: “That’s where we are in terms of our team. Games are going to be a fight. I don’t think we have in terms of going up 20 (points) on a team unless everybody is really rolling and everybody is hitting shots. We’re going to be in a position where we are fighting, especially coming down into the last 30 games of the year.” On playing without Chris Paul: “I think we have to play a little different. I don’t think we can play the same way. I think we can try to find an identity that fits the group that is going to be on the floor and go from there.”
On the difference in the game: “Letting them come out and get an early lead. That’s been the story of our season. I think once we find a way to get that under control, we’ll be a good team.” On his injury: “I was trying to make a play at the basket and then try to draw contact. The next thing you know, I was on my back. I just got an MRI, just not X-rays. They haven’t told me anything yet.” On if it hurt too much to continue playing: “I would say that. Plus, I know that I wasn’t 100 percent. I didn’t want to risk getting out there and hurting my team by not getting back on defense or not being able to go at full speed.” Thunder Post Game Quotes
On the game: “Kevin came out with good energy for back-to-back games. We didn’t use that as an excuse and I liked this win. We played a tough, hard-fought defensive game. They made a run and hit some shots. Like last night, we didn’t fall apart, we stuck together. Once again, Russell did a great job of controlling the game. Ibaka and Collison did a tremendous job of battling their bigs. Nick had 10, Serge had 8. We had a good front court tonight.” On Westbrook: “Russell has been working on that mid-range shot and it pays off. He spent time all summer long before games and practice working on that shot. That is a shot I know he can knock down. I believe in that decision on his part. They left him free because they were worried about KD (Kevin Durant).”
On the game: “I think we did a good job as a team by defending well, getting rebounds and hitting clutch shots. That’s a good team over there. They did a good job of fighting back. I try to be aggressive, defend and try to help my team out. Darren Collison is doing a good job of getting better.” On the absence of Chris Paul: “We knew they could beat us without Chris Paul. The last time we were here they beat us so playing without him wouldn’t be a factor. So tonight we came out with that same intensity as if he was playing and played great defensively.”
On the game: “My teammates did a great job looking for me and finding me, so I just try to do my best to finish for them. I’ve got a long ways to go to become the player I want to be, so I’ve got to continue to work and get better. I’ve never beat the Hornets. They’ve been playing well as of late, so it feels cool to come into a hostile environment and get the win.” |
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