POSTGAME QUOTES, February 11, 2009
Jazz 113, Lakers 109

Jazz Quotes
Notes: Deron Williams scored 30+ points for the fifth straight game…In the last 6 games Deron has shot 57-80 (71.25%) on two-point field goals…The Jazz are now 19-1 and 24-3 on the season when leading after the third quarter…The Jazz are now 15-1 against the west at home…The Jazz shot a season high 58.6% from the field…The Jazz are now 22-8 when Mehmet Okur scores 15 points or more… This is the Jazz’ first win over the Lakers in four games…All five Jazz starters scored in double figures.

On the game
“I thought we held our composure. It looked like the free throws we missed were going to cause us some problems, but fortunately we made some other plays to win the game.  I think the fans were excited, we were excited, and it was just a great win.”

On whether there was a fear of losing
“Well, not in fear, but you always know it’s a possibility.  For instance, if you don’t make free throws. We missed, I think, three in a row at one time, it looked like that was going to be our achilles’ heel, but I thought we fought back …our guys went after the ball hard.”

On how the team rallied after they gave up the lead in the fourth quarter
“I was pleased with the fact that they didn’t give up.  That’s the thing—this is a young team.  Our guys are young guys, you see what a veteran team they are, they know where they’re going with the ball, they got the guy that’s a great player, fortunately he missed a couple shots but, you know, they got what they want to look like in their offense.  Fortunately they missed some shots and we were able to defensive rebound them—that’s all you can ask for.”

On the game
“We had a lot of guys step up and make big shots and big plays.”

On strip call at the end of the game
“It’s one of those ones where if we would’ve lost the game we’d be pretty heated about it.”

On the game
“It was a playoff type game in the last four minutes and Kobe hit a big three (point shot). It was a fun game if you look at all 48 minutes. We were active.  We really shared the ball.  And we won the game.”

On his big shot with 40 seconds remaining
“That’s what I was waiting for. I was right there and I was ready. D-Will did a good job. He drove inside and kicked it to me and I was open. I felt good the whole game. I know it was going to come for me so I was ready.”

On the importance of the game
“Every game is a big game. Now, especially after (the) All-Star break.  Hopefully we are going to get help here and be on the same page and we’ll go from there.”

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Lakers Quotes
Notes: With two steals tonight Derek Fisher is now one away from his 1,000th career steal … Lamar Odom recorded a double-double tonight with 19 points and a season-high 19 rebounds (previous was 18 at OKC 2/10) … Kobe Bryant recorded his 29th game of the season scoring 30+ points with 37 points tonight… Lakers ended a three-game win-streak against the Jazz tonight … Lakers allowed their opponent season-high field goal percentage to the Jazz who shot for .586 percent (previous .571 at San Antonio, 1/17)

On tonight’s game
“It’s a ballgame and you just keep playing. All those things happen in a ballgame and teams will let you back in and you just have to keep playing. I think our problem tonight was we gave up too many good looks and (Mehmet) Okur hit that one big shot.”

On playing in eight cities in 14 days
“We played a lethargic first half. The bench came in and played good and kept us going in the ballgame. I think our starters tried to rally at the end of half and did a good job doing it. I didn’t like the way we started the second half and had a lot of missed opportunities and they took advantage.”

On the game
“They just beat us. We could do a better job of playing without the referees and not worrying about calls.  If we do have a problem with an official let Kobe talk to them. We usually are a little tougher at the end of games mentally.  Tonight I just think we could have did a better job.  We were in the penalty with six minutes left. It’s tough on the road.  We were aggressive throughout the game.”

Will this game be tougher thinking about it through the All-Star break
“We expect to win every game we play.  So, it makes you think about the games that slip away. The games that you feel should have won and you didn’t.  We expect to win every game we play.  That is why I’m clearly not feeling good about this.”

On the game
“They play extremely well here at home. They always play us tough here … We just didn’t play well defensively. We didn’t play hard enough defensively. We played lazy.”

On Deron Williams’ game
“He’s better then I thought he was, which is saying a lot. He’s one of the best in the world. Playing with him you get a chance to see how great he really is.”

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