http://www.tp9.net/en/itw.php?id=178
April 26, 2007
Less pressure
Tony, you are now back on track by beating the Nuggets, 97-88. It is an important win before the trip to Denver.
Absolutely as we were back to the wall. We did not have any room for error; we needed to deliver. It was a very important game. In the past we had always reacted well following a loss in the playoffs and this is the reason why I anticipated a big game last night. Everyone answered present. Regarding Iverson and Anthony we defended a little bit better on them and we controlled the boards while being more successful on the attack.
You had a scare in the fourth quarter?
Yes, it is true; we had a 17 points lead in the fourth quarter but Iverson and Anthony caught on fire from three points range. They’ve made some incredible shots despite our aggressive defense. This is allowed them to come back within 4 points with a bit more than a minute to play in the game. Altogether we’ve controlled the game pretty well.
Even if it was better with the rebounds, we can feel that there is a huge inside presence on Denver.
They are extremely strong but I have the feeling that we’ve played head to head with them in that sector. We’ve grab the rebounds that we needed to get. In the first game, Nene and Camby had taken the advantage over us. We were largely dominated and once this happened it became difficult to approach the basket. Camby is still there and is always trying to intercept the shots. I must be careful when I penetrate as Camby lets go of his player to try for a block.
What do you think about your game ?
It is a good game. It is not always easy on the attack as I burn a lot of energy in defense trying to cover Allen Iverson. I also must be careful of Marcus Camby. I was extremely aggressive in the first half by scoring a few lay-ups. In the second half I was more managing the lead.
Now the only choice is to win at least one in Denver.
We were in the same situation in 2005 but with our win tonight we will have a little bit less pressure. Now Denver must rack up the wins at home. We are going there to regain our home court advantage and this comes with a win but if the occasion arises, we won think twice about coming back home with two wins.
Q:托尼，你们以97-88赢下掘金后，又站在同一起跑线上了。这在去丹佛打客场前是一场重要的胜利。
A：绝对地。因为我们后背已靠在墙上了。我们没有犯错的机会。我们必须赢下来。这是一场重要的比赛。以前的季后赛我们输了一场后都会成功赢下下一场，这也就是我昨晚预期今天会有一场大战的原因。每个人都想要赢球。对于艾弗森和安东尼，我们的防守比起上一场有了一点进步。我们控制了篮板，这样就能更加随心所欲地进攻了。
Q:在第四节（比分追上时）你害怕吗？
A:是的。在第四节我们曾领先17分，但艾弗森和安东尼在三分线上频频出手。不管我们的防守多么具有侵略性，他们都能投进一些不可思议的球。这令他们在离终场还有一分多钟的时候把分差拉近到4分之内。团结起来，最后我们还是很好地掌控了比赛。
Q:即使你们在篮板上表现得比上一场更好，但我们还是能够感受到来自丹佛内线的压力。
A:虽然他们真的很强壮，但我们还是敢于在篮底和他们有近距离的接触。我们拿下了该拿的篮板。第一场，内内和坎比利用了他们的篮板优势，令我们处于被动。他们在篮下使我们更难接近（篮框）。这一场，坎比还在那儿，试图封盖。所以当坎比放我进入篮下的时候我就更小心，以防他试图封盖我的上篮。
Q:你觉得这场比赛自己的表现如何？
A:不错。因为耗费了太多体力试图防住艾弗森，所以在进攻端我并不是很顺利。我还要小心坎比。在一二节我打得十分有侵略性，有不少上篮，但三四节我则花更多心思在组织进攻上。
Q:现在对你们来说，唯一的选择就是在丹佛至少赢下一场。
A:2005年我们遇到了同样的情况。这场胜利会让我们的压力减轻一点。现在压力在丹佛一端，他们必须在主场赢得胜利。我们要去那里夺回主场优势，这只需要一场胜利。但当赢下一场，我们就会希望带着两场胜利回去。
