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On the game:
We did not look like a team that wanted to win that game. From start to finish, they (Phoenix) had a lot more energy than we did. We had a nice run early in the second half and then we got away from it again. There was not the energy or the focus tonight. They wanted it more than we did – that was very clear.
FORWARD LAUREN JACKSON:
On the game:
We just couldn’t get it together in the end. Phoenix had a really good game and they shot lights out. We have a lot to work on but it will all come together.
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On the game:
It was a tough loss. We talked about coming into this game that we need to win some games on the road. It leaves a sour taste in your mouth but it is only one game and we have LA coming up on Tuesday and we need to refocus with that. Diana (Taurasi) is good – she just has so many weapons that it is hard to stop her defensively.
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On defending the Storm:
Seattle came in here full of confidence, rolling offensively and our game plan was to make it a fight defensively and we did that. Lauren Jackson had 20, but she had to fight for that 20 and in Jackson terms it was a quiet 20. Sue Bird was unbelievably impressive tonight; she showed how classy she is as a young point guard in the world. I think we competed better on the boards and when we threw our big people in that really helped us.
On winning a tight game:
We got a little shaky there at times, but we held the momentum for a long time. We kept our composure, we got it back and I think that’s the thing that we will continue to do. Even though we’re a young team, I think we’re mature beyond our years. We’re chronologically young, but in basketball terms, we’re quite mature for a young group.
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On the Mercury's offense:
That’s the kind of basketball we want to play. Sharing the basketball. Like you said, three players in double figures. Adrian (Williams) came in and played great minutes. That’s what we need: balanced scoring. We don’t want one or two people to dominate. If we can have an effort like this every night, I think that we’ll be tough to beat.
On playing after five days off:
We definitely had a chance to get some more reps in in practice and I think we benefited from it both offensively and defensively.
On Anna DeForge's 24 points:
I know that after her first game this year, she was disappointed ever since then, she picked it up. That’s the kind of person Anna is.
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On the game:
Our execution in the second half was key. For the most part, we held them to one shot defensively. We had to rebound well today. I think the coaches had a good game plan for us and our execution at the end was key. When we were hitting shots and took our time on offense I think we held the momentum in the game.
On Phoenix's offense:
Coach Graf and Coach (Brian) Agler have been great in the sense that they try to make us get what they call ‘the magic formula’. It means that we need to have patience in our offense because when we do that we’ll break people down and get great open looks.
Notes:
