Postgame Quotes/Notes - Storm 74, Detroit 71
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TONIGHT'S NOTES | |||
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ANNE DONOVAN:
On
Lauren Jackson playing with a sprained ankle:That kid is in quite a lot of pain. Certain plays of the game, you could really see how much she was trying to fight through. There was one transition where Sue hit her long - she released for a fast break - and as she was trying to slow down, collect the ball and score, she was really in a lot of pain. It wasn't often that she let you see it, but you could tell tonight she really had to play strong mentally to get through the pain she was feeling.
On 
Betty Lennox's go-ahead shot:
It was (how we drew it up). We had 
Suzy (Batkovic) coming off for a layup, she was open. I'm not sure who was in the game - Vodo (
Natalia Vodopyanova), I believe - waited for Betty to be open off the jump shot. Lauren did a great job setting the screen. We knew Lauren as the screener, they weren't going to leave her.
On what has turned around for the Storm recently:
I feel like we're starting to play good basketball at the right time, really starting to put it together We started the season pretty well. After the L.A. game, we came out and played very well. Everybody's expectations, including our own, really rose, probably unrealistically. Then we hit the skids and it's doom and gloom when you're not winning. Now it seems like everybody's starting to put it together. Our bench is giving us good minutes and we're starting to come together at the right time.
On the tight Western Conference playoff race:
We know the West is going to be that way this year. Connecticut seems to be running away with things in the East, but in the West it's nobody's game. We're still after a playoff spot, obviously, but we're still hoping for home-court advantage as well.
On whether there was a flow to the game:
I thought we did a great job. We busted out to that 14 or 15-point lead, and then we let them back in the door - Deanna Nolan just had a field day. Then at that point, yeah, it was just a struggle tooth and nail, both ends of the floor. I thought you saw great basketball. It was a great game tonight with marquee players really showing their stuff. Deanna Nolan, Betty at crunch time for us, 
Sue (Bird) and Lauren throughout the game.
On why Nolan was so successful:
Deanna's a great player, and you know you've got to make her take tough shots. I think we were a little bit slow chasing her and we weren't bumping her at all off cuts, so they ran her off a number off screens and I don't think we handled it well. In the second half, we made an adjustment.
On Vodopyanova's impact:
The kid has just got so much energy and she's long and she's always scrapping, so she's going to come up with a steal here or an assist there. Defensively, I don't think teams have quite figured out what she's all about yet. She's capable of shooting the 3, but she's more deadly off the dribble. She just adds a different mix for us, and I like what she's contributing.
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BILL LAIMBEER:
On the game:
We’re losing the close ones. That’s four close ones in a row that we haven’t been able to find a way to win, but it’s the little things that are costing us games.
On the first-half comeback:
Our effort (brought us back). We played harder and I thought Swin Cash played solid in the second part of the first half. Her energy lifted us.
On Nolan's final shot:
No (it wasn’t diagramed). We wanted her to go to the basket and she decided to shoot the 3. I’ll live and die with whatever she decides, but I’d like to see her go to the basket and get fouled.
On positives to take away:
We’re just trying to get a win. On the road it’s very difficult, but we’re playing harder - that’s a positive for us. We get Elaine (Powell) back tomorrow and that’ll help our ball club, but we need some wins desperately.
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On the game:
We had to fight our way back in the first half. In the second half I thought we came with excellent composure. We played hard enough to win it, but (Seattle) just grinded it out.
On the difference between the teams:
There wasn’t much. For us, limiting our turnovers is what kept us in the game. Down the stretch we had a couple of breakdowns where we had some fouls and gave up possession. At the free-throw line, we weren’t able to get some in at times, and then gave them open shots.
On her 3-point attempt late in the game:
That wasn’t the play, but it kind of broke down so they left me open for the 3. The play was to go for a two - to tie it or get fouled, but you can’t pass up the chance for a wide-open 3 like that. Unfortunately it didn’t go in. You can’t ask for anything more.
On positives:
We’re playing hard right now. It’s just that we’re having a hard time pulling them out. We’ve lost a lot of games by five points or less. We have to cut down on the turnovers and grind it out.
