Postgame Quotes: Suns at Hawks, Jan. 25, 2009

“Down the stretch, both teams had some good looks, but missed some shots. Give them credit, they kept fighting. They got some real good looks at the basket. But they weren’t able to come up with any (made) shots. We just happened to have some guys step up at the right time and make some plays that kind of extended our lead. Then we just got some defensive stops when we needed to close out.”

“They’re a really good team. Last year they took Boston to seven games. They came back this year with a lot of confidence. Horford’s out right now for them, and that’s definitely someone they’re going to need down the stretch this season. There’s definitely three top teams in the East, but I don’t think anybody wants to see the Hawks in the first or second round. They’re a dangerous team.”

“They put Stoudemire and Nash in a bunch of pick and rolls, and they have played together so well that it is easy for Nash to find him. We had our chances but that five to six minute drought really put us behind. When you get turnovers, you have to convert, and we didn’t do that.”

“Every loss is tough, but it’s not something where we are going to go and hide. We are pretty good at home, so we will be okay. This is basketball. We are trying to secure that fourth seed in the playoffs, and tomorrow we have to go to Miami and get it back.”

(On Stoudemire): “He was more aggressive. It seemed like they made a point to come out in the second half and get him his touches early.”

(On playing the Heat tomorrow): “It’s very important to turn it around tomorrow. We have to watch tape and come out and play tomorrow night, because that’s a good Miami team.”

“Stoudemire made some jump shots at the end of the game. We were trying to keep up with Shaq, but he made us pay for that.”

“We weren’t able to make shots. We got the shots we wanted, but we weren’t able to make them. You’re going to have nights like that. And you have to recuperate and go into the next game.”