What they said after the Hawks’ 89-72 win over the Celtics in Game 2 of their Eastern Conference first-round playoff series game:
"I think the way our group started tonight was something that is a credit to our players. Understanding sometimes it's hard to come out with that kind of focus defensively, that kind of effort. I just think that's the challenge no matter what the situation, if you are up in a series, you can come out and start like that and maintain the defense. Offensively, we've got to get better but I think Boston deserves some credit, their physicality, their getting into you. They are tough. We are pleased with the defense, obviously, the activity, in the paint, around the basket, everywhere. Kyle had a big first quarter." – Hawks coach Mike Budenholzer's opening statement
"We all have pride, right? I wanted to come out and play better the second game. I think I was pretty focused. I knocked down a couple shots early, which was great." – Kyle Korver on 3-point shooting
"We've been talking a lot about a 48-minute game. The beginning is part of that 48 minutes. We've gotten off to some pretty great leads in this series in the first quarter. We'd like to keep that going." – Korver on quick start
"We were trying to throw the first punch. Try to dodge theirs and throw ours. It's a battle. When we are playing well and get out and push the ball and play with our pace and get after it defensively, we are a tough team." – Jeff Teague on fast start
"It's playoff basketball. It's good. I think both teams were playing hard. They were playing great defensively. We were playing great defensively as well. It's a battle and it was good to see they just allowed us to play our game." – Al Horford on physical game
"It says that we are a team, pretty much. Not my best shooting games. But it's not about just one person. It's about this whole team, what everybody brings to the table. That's what a team is for." – Paul Millsap on winning despite his poor shooting
"Every time I catch the ball, I'm seeing a lot of bodies. The key for me is not to force. Take what the give me. Other guys are doing a great job. Al is doing a good job of reading. Kyle got some good looks and that's great to see. If I have to struggle for our team to win, so be it." – Millsap on Celtics' defensive plan on him
"They way out-played us in every category in that first quarter. That was not just about shots, by any means. One team is playing at a very elite level and one team is not, to be quite candid. We'll look at it and make the necessary changes and move forward. As I told the team, we can't get off to starts like that. The only part of the defense that I was upset by was losing (Kyle) Korver a few times and the transition defense. We just put too much pressure on ourselves to make shots later because everyone mattered so much just to have a chance to get back in the game. You can't start like that." – Celtics coach Brad Stevens on slow start
"Korver is one of the main things we talk about every time we walk in this building, every time we walk into the hotel, every time we land in Atlanta. We know we have to be in his airspace or else we are toast. You knew coming off a 1-for-10 game he was going to have the hunger to make shots and take shots early on. We talked about that but it was a matter of we lost him a few times." – Stevens on Korver
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