Regarding the challenge of playing Denver at home . . .
“This is always a tough place to play. Denver is very talented, tough and physical . . . We’ve played pretty well, but we haven’t played a team of
this caliber yet.” -Coach Rick Carlisle
“It was definitely a grind-it-out kind of game." -Dirk Nowitzki
About the game winning shot that wasn't, as Carmelo Anthony missed his final jumper . . .
“When you guard Carmelo, you have to make him take tough shots. And I knew they were going to call on me once it got down to the last possession.”
-Shawn Marion
"It comes down to one possession either way. You walk out of here feeling great or terrible." -Coach Rick Carlisle
"I think I hit that shot nine out of 10 times. It's a heartbreaker." -Carmelo Anthony
“We got a little lucky, but we got the stop.” -Dirk Nowitzki
Um, yeah, about Dirk -- 35 points and 12 boards, aggressive and versitile on offense, has a way with words . . .
“I had a decent first half." -Dirk Nowitzki