Utah Jazz Round 1 Game 5 Quotes - Playoffs 2008

Jerry Sloan – Utah jazz Head Coach (3-2 in postseason)

(on getting out-played) "I think we can play harder.
We have to play harder to be able to beat them.
Because they got loose balls, they knocked us around, they went after the basketball with their heart. You have to give them credit for that."

(on Friday's game) "We've got to try and re-group and see if we can win that game. That's the next game we have to play. That's the only thing I can say.
Hopefully our guys will be ready to match their effort and enthusiasm and see what we come away with.
If you like to play in big games, they came out and played in a big game for themselves. We'll see who comes to play in the big game on Friday."

(on the game) "It was pretty much their ballgame all night. They beat us in all four quarters of the game.
They made us turn the ball over. They were terrific defensively. We couldn't get anything but outside shots. We started shooting those and they just kept putting pressure on us."

Deron Williams – Guard

(on the loss) "It was very disappointing. You know, but, it's not the end of the world or the end of the series. So we need to come back and get it in our place. When you get beat by 20 in a playoff game there is no other way to put it. I felt we could have done a better job. Offensively we could have executed better and a lot of it gives credit to their defense. They are one of the best defensive teams in the league and also we haven't scored a hundred points in a game and we average 106 on the year.

Carlos Boozer – Forward

(on the Rockets defense) "A little bit, but part of it, is just playing the game. Just try and take what they give you. Be optomistic out there and try to attack when you get a chance."

(on the importance of game five) "I wanted to win this game more than anything else. I thought we had a chance to cut it down but they kept making shots. They brought it and kicked our butt today."

Andrei Kirilenko - Forward

(on the game) "They out-hustled us everywhere, offensively - defensively all over the court. We forced shots and didn't go inside. They forced us to play on the perimeter. We need to be more aggressive.
They executed their offense well and got a lot of layups. We didn't control the game right from the beginning."

(on defending McGrady) "We didn't do a very good job on Tracy tonight. He didn't dominate but he had a good game and got everyone involved."

(on the series) "We feel pressure every game. We are looking forward to going home to Utah. We didn't compete this game and have to get back to work for game six."

Mehmet Okur - Center

(on the game) "We just didn't play any good defense. They controlled the tempo and we didn't do anything. We settled for outside jumpers. They are a very good defensive team and they defended us well. Houston was very active and everyone played well. Our defense just wasn't there. I guess we just didn't try hard enough."

Ronnie Brewer - Guard

(on the game) "We settled for the first shot. They came out with a lot of intensity and we didn't match them. We have to do a better job of executing our offense."

(on defending McGrady) "You have to prepare for Tracy the whole game and you never know when he will step up. He stepped up big time for Houston."

(on the playoffs) "We knew we had an opportunity them out but our shots weren't going in. Now it's a must win game for us in Utah."

Matt Harpring - Forward

(on the game) "It was a bad game for us offensively.
Give Houston credit for a good game plan. They got after us and got up in to us and they were the aggressor this game. Houston played better. Give them credit. McGrady played well and their crowd was into it. Hopefully our crowd will be ready for the next game."

Rick Adelman – Houston Rockets Head Coach (2-3 in postseason)

(on the game) "I'm very pleased with the way we played. We really defended them all game. We were very active defensively. We rebounded the ball really well and actually made shots which helps a lot. Our guys were really ready to play and used all they had and the way they approached the game exactly the way we had to have it. In the same gate, we are going to have to go back to Utah."

(on the changes for game 5) "We did some things a little bit different and we didn't do it a lot but we did go to Carl (Landry) and Luis (Scola) a few times inside. I think we have to try to put more pressure on their big guys if we can and those guys haven't been go-to guys at the post but I know I just wanted to see  what we could do against their guys because we have some quickness in there."

Tracy McGrady – Guard

(on the defense) "From right off the start our defense was unbelievable. Taking away their first option, denying their post entry and making it tough. Getting up into them and contesting jumpers, we did it all. We were scrappy tonight. That's what I said we had to do in order for us to win this ball game. We have to be physical, we have to get up into them. We have to make it really difficult for them on the offensive end.I think it has been one of the better defensive efforts we have put out this year."

(on the bench) "Tonight, I got a lot of rest. Our guys came in off the bench and played extremely well.
Rafer, he hit some big buckets for us. I was just fortunate enough to have fresh legs throughout the game. I was just mixing my game up, dribble pull-up, going to the basket--I kept them off balance a little better."

Rafer Alston – Guard

(on the Rockets defense) "We forced them to commit eighteen turnovers and that's impressive for their team that takes care of the basketball. They're a team that can score the ball and they were averaging around 100 points down the stretch of the season. For us to do this kind of job on them tonight says a lot about our team. We came out and we got our hands in the passing lane. We pressured the ball and we took away a lot of their first options. We made them go to their second and third options."

(on the team win) "Tonight we were all involved and we all helped out. Scola did well and Shane (Battier) played great defense. Dikembe (Mutombo) altered shots and rebounded and we had some good energy guys off the bench, like Bobby (Jackson) scoring and Carl (Landry) doing it with defense. We have to continue that effort and intensity going up there to Utah."

Shane Battier - Forward

(on the game) "We played a great game. We played all together. With the season on the line, we gave it a great effort. An effort that we needed to beat a really good team. Our defense is outstanding and we finally made some shots with a much better rhythm tonight."

(on the playoff series) "We are going back to the lions den where they have only lost five times. The bad news is they have only lost five times but the good news is they have lost twice to us. So, we are going to go in there. It is a must win game,again. We are going to in there firing and try to pull off the same effort but we know they are going to play a lot harder with their fans behind them."

Luis Scola – Forward/Center

(on the importance of the win) "It was crucial. If we lose we go home. So, there' not much more to say about it. We needed to win and now we're going to Utah for game 6 that is going to be all or nothing. It will be a nice game to play."

(on the Rockets defense) "It was huge. It allowed us to run and it allowed us to make easy shots. It gave us confidence. It was huge for today's game but it also gave us a lot of confidence for game 6 in Utah."