Feb. 23, 2009 at New York
Knicks 123, Pacers 119
PACERS GUARD TROY MURPHY
(On the season) “It’s been a fun season to play the minutes and everything like that but it’s been frustrating at times not being able to get as many wins as we would have like. We’ve had a lot of injuries which has really kind of put us behind the eight ball but we’ve felt like we should be right in the playoff mix and injuries have really hurt us a little bit.”
(On playing against David Lee) “It’s always a tough match-up going against him. He’s a great rebounder and he finishes around the basket with both hands. He’s a really good player.”
PACERS GUARD JARRETT JACK
(On tonight’s game) “I think we are just trying to hold ship until our guys get back. Guys came out and fought hard Marquis (Daniels) is playing very sick and other guys are playing through injuries. You can’t do anything but be happy with the effort out there.”
(On Nate Robinson) “He is probably been playing the best basketball this particular month. I’m sure he will get named Eastern Conference player of the week. He is on a dramatic tear since the All-Star break and he just had another great performance.”
(More on tonight’s game) “The first half when you look at the field goal percentage neither one of us shot the ball particularly well. I think we came in here regrouped at halftime. Both of us can score the ball. The ball just didn’t bounce our way. Those are the breaks of the basketball game normally the teams that wins makes the fewest mistakes.”
KNICKS COACH MIKE D'ANTONI
(On Nate Robinson) “Maybe the 41 points and just him making every big play out there probably did it. He was terrific. Tonight when we lacked energy and lacked a little focus, he really picked it up and he did a terrific job.”
(On tonight’s win) “They were shorthanded. That’s probably the biggest difference. We’re not going take anything away from this, other than Nate’s (Robinson) performance and a win, and that’s pretty good. But we can’t think that we played pretty well or we did this. We didn’t do a whole lot tonight. Disappointing, I’m sure it was an exciting game to watch, but that’s not the type of game we want to play. I didn’t think we played well. Hopefully we’re ready for Wednesday night because we’d better be.”
KNICKS GUARD NATE ROBINSON
(On the team’s performance) “We picked up our energy in the second half and this was a game we needed. I knew I had to bring the energy. I could not do it without my teammates. We came out real strong. They played a hell of a game without three of their players. You have to tip your hat off to them. They gave us a run for our money and we handled it pretty well.”
(On the steal in the 4th quarter) “I knew Jarret Jack was trying to come in and screen and pop out and I just denied him and was watching…he overthrew him and I ran and got the ball. I was like ‘he’s not stopping me from getting the lay-up.’ I knew this was a bucket that we needed.”
(On Larry Hughes) “I’ve been watching Larry [Hughes] since I was thirteen. I told him to hang in there and that the fans are going to love him. He’ll get the jitters out and he is a ball player…one of my favorites growing up watching. I’m happy to be his teammate.”
(On the playoff race) “We are getting better. We have 24 wins and we are looking to get more and trying to make the playoffs. That is our goal…to make the playoffs. Anything less than that, we are going to be a pretty upset team.”
KNICKS FORWARD DAVID LEE
(On tonight’s game) “This was a big time game against a team that was short handed. Both teams were coming off back to backs. Both teams played sloppy tonight but a win is a win and Nate [Robinson] got on fire in the second half. We needed every bit of it because Jarret Jack was hitting shots. Every game is different and we just concentrate on bringing energy…we need to keep working. That should have been a game we should have won handily tonight with their two best players out. It was too close for comfort but I’m just glad we got the win.”
(On Nate Robinson) “Nate’s [Robinson] play was unbelievable throughout the whole third and fourth quarter. Anytime he plays like that, it’s tough to stop him when he’s being aggressive…big plays by him and a big win by us.”
KNICKS GUARD LARRY HUGHES
(On getting readjusted to playing) “My legs are feeling a lot better now and my shot has to start falling. I’m just trying to take good shots. I haven’t played, but that is no excuse. I want to come out and compete. I know the shot will come. My teammates want me to shoot the ball when I’m open. Coach [D’Antoni] says to continue to go out and play hard on both ends of the court and things will come around.”