SONICS COACH NATE MCMILLAN:

On the Suns late comeback:
It’s all about containing the ball. We just had breakdowns on the defensive end of the floor. We didn’t contain it. I thought for the most part we contained the ball and we got that seven-point lead. (Steve) Nash had one penetration to suck the defense in, we left (Shawn) Marion and he hits the three. Then they score off a free throw. We close out, we just didn’t contain it, and (Quentin) Richardson gets to the basket. That was the difference in the ball game. We need to contain the ball, keep them out of the paint, and make them shoot it, make them earn their points. Then maybe the outcome is different.

On the Sonics defensive philosophy:
The game plan tonight was keeping them out of the paint. They can shoot the ball, but they also go to the basket. They are a team that attacks you - they shot 33 free throws. They attack the paint and force the defense to bend. When the defense bends, that’s when they go their perimeter game. We just had breakdowns at the end that allowed them to get back into the game, and then we missed a couple of shots at the end and that’s the ballgame.

We had this game under control. If we make stops and not break down on the defensive end of the floor, you have a chance to win this game. Defensively, we just broke down that last minute. They made the plays. We didn’t.

GUARD ANTONIO DANIELS:

On the game:
With three minutes left, you don’t want to stop playing the way you’ve played the whole game to get that seven-point lead. You want to continue to push and if you have open looks, you want to take advantage of it. You don’t want to alter the game and start slowing the ball up. That’s not who we are. We had some good looks down the stretch that didn’t fall. They had good looks down the stretch that did fall. That’s where the game was decided. They knocked down their shots down the stretch, we didn’t.

On moving forward:
That’s the good thing about the NBA. Whether or not you win or lose, you can’t get too high and you can’t get too low because you have another game coming up. We played hard enough to win tonight but we didn’t. Now we need to refocus again and focus on Denver now. That’s our next challenge and we can’t do anything about this loss now.

PHOENIX COACH MIKE D'ANTONI:

On the game:
That was a great game. There was a lot of scoring and a lot of plays. They started off really fired up. They were out of their minds at first. We held tough like we’ve been doing most of the year. We made some stops at the end. It was great, great game.

On his team:
We just don’t lose heart. They keep their heads in and keep plugging away. We didn’t play great tonight, but there was some really even scoring. One guy has 18 and the other four have 20.

On the importance of the win:
It was a big game for right now. They are a great team also. They have a lot of heart. They have some great offensive players. It means that we have two more meetings this year. They are a great team that is coached real well. I’m happy for their success and they are happy for our success. Hopefully both teams will go on and prove to people that we’re real.

CENTER AMARÉ STOUDEMIRE:

On the game:
I got into a little foul trouble. It was pretty brutal out there. I mean a lot of holding and carrying on. It was tough.

On the officiating:
I think the officials were kind of brutal out there. It was kind of hard to grab a grip on the game. We couldn’t really get into the flow until late. There were a lot of calls and putting some time on the clock. There was a lot of stuff I’ve never seen before, so it was tough to play.

On the difference in the game:
I think tonight we played pretty good in the second half. We have been shooting very well from the field. Tonight wasn’t my best night. Next time we meet them, it will be exciting and fun.

FORWARD SHAWN MARION:

On the Sonics:
They are up there. They are a great team. They have been shooting the mess out of the ball. They hit some big shots. You have to give them credit. You know Seattle; I give them thumbs up. Coach McMillan has them out there doing his thing. It’s a matter with them of who has it going that night and who is going to play a little defense.

GUARD STEVE NASH:

On coming from behind:
We don’t want to live that way, but it’s nice to be able to come back from bring down. We’ve got a big heart, but it’s also talent. You have to have those weapons. At any given time someone can make a three pointer and we can beat them down the floor to get a lay-up and the next thing we know we are in the game.

Notes: