Jan. 3, 2009 at Conseco Fieldhouse
Pacers 122, Kings 117
PACERS COACH JIM O'BRIEN
“That was a really good win for us. We didn’t play well defensively but that’s not to take anything away from the brilliant performance of Kevin Martin. We couldn’t guard Kevin Martin."
"We were searching for a lineup that would work. We just didn’t seem to match their energy."
"We got a win against a team that needed a win as badly as we did."
"Danny was absolutely terrific, made big, big shots.”
PACERS GUARD T.J. FORD
(On the game) "The difference in this game and some of the games that we lost, we kept our composure down the stretch, played together, stayed on the same page and just got the job done. We’re a young team and we have to mature and learn to finish, which we have in the last couple of games."
(On his role) "I just came in and tried to spark the team tonight and keep them going. Fortunately, I was able to make some shots that sparked us, too."
(On his injury) "I think I may have come back a little too early, but I tried to give them quality minutes and just to work a little bit harder to get better a little quicker. I had to give up a little bit of my quickness when I returned.”
PACERS FORWARD DANNY GRANGER
“We have been in every game until maybe the end or the last minute or so. This one we got. We kept our composure, played well and got the W. We also did the same thing in New York last night. "
(On getting big shots down the stretch and when the Pacers need them) "I thrive on doing this."
(On the game) "Games that we have lost we know we could have won and I feel this is a good beginning for this year. We knew Kevin Martin could play, but he had an outstanding night. He put the ball in when they needed it.”
KINGS COACH KENNY NATT
(On Kevin Martin’s big night) "He was carrying us all night, offensively and defensively. He had a great game all together. We just need to get the rest of the team on the same page."
(On Kevin Martin being in the starting lineup) "I don’t know if that’s the best thing for our team right now. Kevin is playing great basketball and we need that punch coming off our bench. We just need to get the rest of our guys to start playing well."
(On their recent struggles) "We’ve got to stop being our own worst enemy. We have to focus as a team, offensively, defensively and as the coach I have to continue to push theses guys.”
KINGS CENTER BRAD MILLER
(On the Kings’ final offensive possession) "They (Indiana) locked it up a little bit and made some changes on how they were playing. We had a couple of looks, but they just didn’t go down."
(On the inability to get defensive stops late in the game) "That’s how we’re losing games, just not getting enough stops late in the game. It’s a process. If we get a couple and win a couple of these games we can change it around. "
(On the reason for the lack of wins) "There’s probably a few different things we need to look at. It’s been tough. We’ve been playing better lately and just haven’t been able to finish them out.”
KINGS GUARD KEVIN MARTIN
(On his big night) "It was just like they had Granger doing the same thing. We just didn’t get any stops at the end of the game, which hurt us."
(On their lack of defensive stops) "That killed us, I think. It was at 113-107 and we just needed a stop. We didn’t get it."
(On the team) "Nothing is missing. We just need more practice time together and some games. We just got our full roster back last week. We’ll keep continuing to work together and we’ll get there."
(On his high scoring) "That’s something I can do very well. But tonight it didn’t turn into a win. Hopefully in the future it does. But we just have to get back to defense.”