Official postgame quotes, notes — Jazz 117, Magic 105
Published on Dec 11, 2010 12:45PM 1 Comments
Official postgame quotes and notes following the Jazz's 117-105 victory against the Orlando Magic on Friday at Energy Solutions Arena.
Notes: Jazz shot 62.5 percent from the three-point line (10-16) after shooting a season-low .071 from three-point range (1-14) against Miami on Wednesday ... Paul Millsap scored the most points in a first half this season with 20 (previously 19 by Al Jefferson vs. MIA 12/8) ...After scoring seven points in the first three quarters, C.J. Miles had 19 points in the fourth quarter, which is the most points by a Jazz player in the fourth quarter this season (Previously Miles at POR 11/20 and Deron Williams @ ORL 11/10) ... Deron Williams 16 points in the third quarter were the second most by a Jazz player in the third quarter this season (previously
Paul Millsap, 18 at MIA 11/9)...Deron Williams either scored or assisted on every Jazz basket in the third quarter.
Jerry Sloan – Head Coach (17-7 this season)
On what the difference was in the intensity of the defense in the fourth quarter
“Well, we were playing a zone. The defensive intensity didn’t really get any higher, it’s just make sure you know which spots are most dangerous, and to get out there and cover those spots. We did a pretty good job of that.”
Andrei Kirilenko – Forward (17 points, 13 rebounds, 3 blocks)
On the game
“We were very fortunate. We were making shots, but for the most part, we executed our offense and when our execution is going well, we always have guys open. C.J. did tremendous. Almost every shot he hit was an open shot, and he’ll hit it. Paul’s first half was unbelievable. That’s the game we’re looking for.”
On the defense against Dwight Howard
“We paid attention. Our big guys did a great job. They didn’t let him get those quick shots, those quick layups right away and kind of held him until the help arrived. We double teamed and tried to avoid those positions when he’s alone playing one-on-one with our big guys.”
C.J. Miles – Guard (26 points)
On being on fire
“It felt good. I moved around. They were in zone, which allowed me a little bit to see the open shots. I was able to make some, and guys found me.”
On the defense against Dwight Howard
“We just tried to keep him from as close to the rim as possible, because most of the time he’s in there it ends up being a dunk, so you want to make him use his moves and make him use jump shots and jump hooks. If you contest the dunks you end up getting fouls and “and-one’s”. Al and Paul did a good job of just battling with them down there and the biggest thing they did is to not let him get a lot of offensive rebounds which is what he really kills you with.”
Deron Williams – Guard (32 points, 9 assists)
On the performance after loss
“It was a good team victory. I thought everybody played well tonight. We played hard, put more effort than we did the last time we were at home against Dallas. That’s why we got the victory.”
On his roll as team leader
“This year has been an adjustment for everybody. I have had to do a lot more coaching on the court because we got so many new faces. At times we’re all over the place but like I said as long as you put the effort out there we will be fine.
Paul Millsap – Forward (22 points, 5 rebounds)
On bouncing back from loss to Miami
“We were a little down after we dropped one at home against Miami. We came into tonight with a chip on our shoulder trying to show everybody that we can compete in this league.”
On battling and frustrating Dwight Howard
“It started with Al. Al Jefferson did a great job of keeping him out of the lane. Limiting his touches and when he caught the ball guys did a good job of dropping down and helping on him. It was a team effort tonight.”
On getting more touches tonight
“The past few games my touches were limited a little bit. But tonight they were finding me and I was knocking down shots.”
On upcoming game against Dallas
“They came in our home building and (stole) a win from us. I think we’re going to have a lot of energy tomorrow (and) come out and try and get that win.”
Notes: With the loss, the Magic have now lost four games in a row... The Magic fall to 7-4 in their last 11 games with the Jazz... Entering tonight’s matchup, Orlando only allowed 90.8 points per game, which ranks first in the league but allowed the Jazz to score 117 points, an opponent season-high...This is only the second time this season the Magic have scored more than 100 points and lost (9-2)...It is only the fifth time that the Magic have given up over 100 points (twice to the Jazz) and are 1-4 in those games...Dwight Howard picked up his 16th double-double on the season...This is the 21st game this season that Dwight Howard has recorded at least one block... Entering tonight’s game, the Magic ranked 29th in the league in assists (averaging 18.3 assists per game), tonight the Magic had 18 ... The Jazz swept the Magic for the first time since the 2007-08 season, the team’s sixth sweep against Orlando ...
Stan Van Gundy – (15-8 this season)
On the game
“Well I mean look they killed us. Millsap in the first half, Deron Williams in the third quarter, C.J. Miles in the fourth quarter, I mean they dominated us. Deron Williams took a close game, took it over right away in the second half. He dominated us.”
On the Magic loss of energy
“No, I mean at the offensive end yes in the first half, but no defense at any point. And when things got tough we quit moving the ball, wouldn’t make passes. They are far more unselfish than we are.”
On the Jazz surge in the third quarter
“They did a good job on Dwight, they did a very good job on blocking shots on him and getting turnovers. That’s a double edge sword as a coach you’re looking at your team, clearly their defense got better. But we didn’t play very well.”
“We didn’t have as much trouble with the zone. We couldn’t score. We were driving the ball, I thought we took some real questionable shots, we got into crowds and wouldn’t throw the ball out to people. Whereas when they drove the ball and we came to help they made passes and they made the extra pass. Reminded me very much of the difference between us and Boston last year in the series. They’re willing to make extra passes and we’re not.”
Vince Carter – Gaurd (17 points, 4 rebounds)
On the lack of defense
“That’s the most frustrating thing of it all. We’re just not very good right now. We definitely have to focus in on it. The offense is going to come every night and score points, that’s not the issue. Defensively we have to take pride in it, individually lock down and trust each other all at the same time.”
On the team frustration
“With the goals that we have set for ourselves, matches like this is something that we don’t want. We’re trying to position ourselves so that at the end of the year we are ready to go and right now we’re going backwards.”
On what they can take away from the loss
“As frustrating and discouraging as this is, we still have more games to play. It’s easy for us to just bounce back and get back on track if we want to do it.”
Jameer Nelson – Guard (19 points, 10 assists)
On most upsetting part of past four losses
“We kind of backed off our defense. If you look at the game everything is pretty easy for the other team. We haven’t shown any resistance at all on the defensive end.”
On where they need improvement
“It is a lot of things that go on defensively. You have to man up individually. You have to rely on your help, your help has to be there. You definitely have to be aggressive. I don’t think we were aggressive enough defensively at all. I just think we let them take it to us instead of taking it to them.
Dwight Howard – Center (14 points, 12 rebounds)
On the game
“(Utah) just played better than us. We know we’re going to lose games through the season. Guys have got to stop worrying about so many things; it’s still early in the season. There are games when you don’t play with the energy you need. It’s a roller coaster.”
On the mindset of the team
“Everyone just needs to calm down, that’s it. You are going to lose games. No team in the NBA is going to be perfect, so everybody’s complaining. All we’ve got to do is forget about the past and move on. When all we talk about is the losing, we’re going to keep on losing.”
— Brian T. Smith
