Postgame Report: Pacers vs. Celtics 081207

Dec. 7, 2008 at Conseco Fieldhouse
Celtics 122, Pacers 117 (OT)

PACERS COACH JIM O'BRIEN

“A difficult loss for our guys to swallow. Other than the first quarter I thought we outplayed them. We were one rebound away from winning in regulation. But they got the rebound and made the shot."

" I think we’re growing as a basketball team. We’ve played difficult teams tough. We’re getting ourselves in position to win games, or not always closing them out.”

PACERS GUARD MARQUIS DANIELS

“We came out with a lot of energy and focus. We just didn’t close it out. We hustled, gave it our best and we must learn from these."

(On playing Boston as close as they did) "This goes to show that we can play with the better teams and we can win with better teams. It’s early. We just have to stay focused, work hard with each other and eventually the ball will bounce our way.”

PACERS GUARD JARRETT JACK

“We stepped our defense up without question. In overtimes, momentum normally dictates the outcome. They struck first and drew blood first and we had to play from behind."

"We played 47 minutes and 10 seconds, but you can’t do that. You’ve got the play the full 48 minutes in all four quarters. Yes, this was a rough loss for us. Any loss is rough.”

CELTICS COACH DOC RIVERS

“We just found a way to win. They played terrific. Jim had them prepared today. We stole that one and that feels great."

(On the Pacers playing so well) "They’re just playing us so well this year and we’re happy to win two of the three. They’re a tough team and they are better than their record."

(On Ray Allen) "Ray’s just on fire. He had a great game and a great overtime. He hit all the shots when we needed him to."

(On Kevin Garnett) "Kevin had a great game. That’s a quiet 17 points. He’s the only guy in the league that can get 17 points like that.”

CELTICS GUARD RAJON RONDO

(On the Pacers strong play) "They’re a great team, especially at home. They execute and they had a great defensive scheme going into the game."

(On the way they pulled it out at the end) "We just know how to execute down the stretch. We got stops, we got plays. When you have players like Ray (Allen) and Paul (Pierce) that you can go to down the stretch, they make great plays every night."

(On Paul Pierce’s game tying three-pointer at end of regulation) "Eddie (House) made the play by getting the rebound, a great rebound. And he found Paul who knocked it down. (On Ray Allen’s play lately) He’s been in a groove and making his shots.”

CELTICS GUARD RAY ALLEN

(On the Celtics being able to pull out games and his scoring) "We spread the wealth. Paul or KG, if one of us has it going, that person can take a lot of shots. "

(On the Pacers’ consistently strong play against the Celtics) "I think the Pacers are a good team. I don’t look down on them as a team that can’t compete, regardless of what their record is. Regardless of their record, they’re a very good team. I’m actually surprised to see that their record is what it is. They are better than what it shows. A testament to our team is that we didn’t come in looking at their record and expecting to walk over them. We came in respecting them and knowing it was going to be a tough game."

(On Celtics play in the overtime) "It’s hard to say. We got a little lucky, scoring first and just making them play a little more on their heels by attacking them. Then we got some stops when we needed to."

(On his own play recently) "I’m just the recipient right now. It definitely goes in cycles. Most importantly, I think my body is in a good place. Regardless of whether I score points or not, I like to keep my body in a good place and do whatever I can to help the team.”