What they said after the Hawks’ 95-93 loss to the Bobcats Monday night:
“I think like a lot of games, there are a lot of positives and there are things we need to clean up and work on. I think some of our defensive activity, through three quarters they had 65 points, and the ball movement and the people movement, things we’ve been talking about all year for a lot of the game were good. Now there are areas in the fourth quarter that we can all look at and address and improve. Some of our young guys got great opportunities. There is a lot to take from tonight. Most importantly, for me and for the players and all of us, I would like to take a second to thank the fans for the entire season. This is our last home game. Very appreciative of the fans and everything they give us. We are excited to start the playoffs. A big thank to our fans.”
- Hawks coach Mike Budenholzer’s opening statement
“When you are in our situation health and those things are a priority. It was great to see Pero look like he had a bounce and was moving well and playing well. Jeff, the same thing. It’s an opportunity to get them a little rest. It’s an opportunity for guys to get reps on defense and offense and all the different things we do. It was just a lot of positives for giving other guys opportunities and allowing Jeff and Pero to play and play without being injured.”
- Budenholzer on not playing Jeff Teague and Pero Antic in third quarter
“I haven’t looked at it on film, but everything has multiple options. I have a good feeling that was an option. They ran multiple screens and had multiple opportunities. Gary Neal coming to the corner was one. It’s a credit to them and their execution that they found that third option and he made a heck of a shot. I think it’s more by design than a scramble.”
- Budenholzer on Chris Douglas-Roberts’ game-winning shot
“We are excited to be in the playoffs and we’re ready to play whoever it is that we match up with. Indiana has clinched. It’s going to be the same message. We are more concerned with ourselves than who we match up against. There is a lot of respect and a lot of work for us to do over the next four or five days to get ready.”
- Budenholzer on playoff matchup with Pacers
“We look forward to it. In the playoffs, anybody can beat anybody. I’m sure after Milwaukee we’ll start preparing for that series. We’ve played well against those guys this year and we look forward to the challenge.”
- Lou Williams on playoff matchup with Pacers
“It was fine. I’m glad to see the guys get out there and compete.”
- Jeff Teague on not playing in the fourth quarter
“Every game you lose is a downer but it’s not as big of a deal if we weren’t going to the playoffs. A lot of guys got some rest and a lot of guys got some minutes and experience. A win would have been a positive but we can learn from it.”
- Elton Brand on loss
“It’s the same. It feels better but when I start running I feel pain. I have to go through the pain but the team needs me. I going to do the best that we can. Still in my head is the leg. I’m afraid to do some things. In the playoffs, I will not think about it. I will just think about the game.”
- Pero Antic on sore right ankle
“It show that we can still compete at a high level. When somebody goes out, the next guy has to step up. The biggest thing is you want to go into the playoffs healthy. I think we were able to accomplish that tonight and got through with no injuries.”
- Shelvin Mack on bench players getting extended minutes
“We have a job to do. We did a great job of getting back into this game. Gary Neal and Luke Ridnour basically carried us up until that point and I got a shot (to win) the game. I feel like that’s the least I can do to help these guys, the way they carried us the whole quarter. There were two to three options on the play. I kind of felt like it was going to come back to me because Gary was so hot that quarter. I just made the play.”
- Chris Douglas-Roberts on his game-winning shot
