Here is what they said after the Hawks’ 95-79 victory over the Sixers Wednesday night:
Mike Budenholzer
Opening statement: "I think the consistency that we could maintain throughout the game, each quarter, kind of an ugly, not the best basketball game for us, but consistency and our effort defensively and we found a way to score enough points offensively. Taking away the points was something that was going to be important and limiting turnovers. We were good enough to get the win. We need to get better."
On sloppy play: "I think you have to give them credit. They do some things to make it difficult. We talked about their pressure before the game. They can get up into you. They can be active. They do some things defensively that at times can create some problems if you don't move the ball, you don't attack them the right way. So, I think they deserve the credit for some of the defense and some of the turnovers. They create a lot of turnovers."
On concern playing a struggling team: "Coaches are always worried. Just put yes next to that question. We are trying to develop a day-by-day approach and trying to build habits and not worry who we are playing. I give our group credit for their approach on that day-to-day. Like I said, coaches are always worried."
On early shooting struggles, especially from 3-point range: "One of the timeouts we talked about shooting too many jump shots. I'm a big believer of shooting when you are open and spreading the court and the 3-ball is part of our game. At times, you have to drive more and you have to attack more. I think there was a point early tonight that we weren't driving enough."
On Mike Muscala: "His activity and his length is always something that stands out every time Mike gets to play. He affects the game on the defensive end at the rim. I think he alters shots, blocks shots, and I think on the boards, both defensively and offensively, he has a presence. Tonight he made a few shots, reacted way to a few situations. I think the game slowed down for him a little bit tonight. I think playing him in the D-League for a couple games was very good for him. There is nothing like getting game action. It prepares you for when you get an opportunity.
On using Shelvin Mack before Dennis Schroder: "It's part of the rotation. Shelvin is playing the backup 2. He is going in for Kyle and Dennis for Jeff (Teague). Sometimes I take guys out a little bit earlier or a little bit later.
On limiting minutes late for DeMarre Carroll and Jeff Teague: "It's hard. I think at one point we were up 14 or 15. … I think our guys who were out there were playing pretty well. I have faith and confidence in them. It gives you a chance to play them, develop them, grow them more."
Kyle Korver
On sloppy start: "They did a good job. They were switching a lot of things and fronting us. We were trying to get the mismatch and force the ball in and we just got stagnant. Our ball movement stopped. We got a bunch of great looks. We just didn't have a great shooting night. It was a bit sloppy for a while but I thought, the fourth quarter especially, we picked up the energy a little bit and got some separation."
On taking too many jump shots early: "We were. But they were all open. But if you aren't hitting them you have to drive. It's so hard because you want to hit a couple of them and go. I don't think we were taking bad shots but we just weren't making them. When your are not making them you've got to find a new way to score."
On eight-game win streak: "I think we all feel good. It's fun basketball when you win. When you are winning you want to do anything. I think our energy is good. Our approach has been really good. It's easy when you are winning some games in a row to kind of relax. I think guys have done a good job of approaching every day for what it is, if it's a practice or a shootaround or a game. Guys are coming focused and just being a pro. I think that is growth for our team this year. That is the biggest thing. We know who we are. We know what we are running. We know the system. Let's keep on doing it.
Mike Muscala
On whether time in the D-League helped: "I guess just having that experience, being able to be on the court, play a game. Even though it wasn't the NBA to be able to run up and down it helps. You can play 3-on-3 and do all those workouts but we've had such few practices because of the schedule we've had."
Al Horford
On winning streak: "It just means we are playing good basketball right now. We are just looking to keep it going, keep growing as a team."
On sloppy start: "They are a scrappy team. They force you to play a certain way. I think all night we were out of sync a little bit. We were out of rhythm. You have to give them credit. The important thing is we were able to pull out the game.
DeMarre Carroll
On winning streak: "I think everybody is on a roll and understands what we need to do. Al (Horford) had been out a whole year and he is feeling things out. That is why we are getting out to a good start. Our starters are getting out to a good start. Our bench is picking up where the starters left off. We are just playing team basketball.
Paul Millsap
On need to get to basket when jump shots not falling: "Every open shot is not a great shot, in my opinion. If you can get to the basket, get to the basket, kick out, plays like that where you are in rhythm. It makes the open shots a little better."
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