What they said after the Hawks’ 111-103 win over the Bucks in the regular-season finale Wednesday night:
I think the defense after the first quarter really picked up. It was where we wanted it to be and needed it to be. I was happy with the change in mentality, the change in focus from the first quarter on. Another good opportunity for some of our younger guys to get minutes and opportunities, for Kyle (Korver) and DeMarre (Carroll) to get back out and play and get some work in. Overall, a good night for us.”
- Hawks coach Mike Budenholzer’s opening statement
“It was really at the end of the first quarter. It doesn’t matter what type of game, where we are playing, a 39-point quarter is not something we want to have. We need to change that. We talk a lot about habits all year. The first quarter you couldn’t see them.”
- Budenholzer on message about poor first-quarter defense
“It’s great. Mike (Muscala) is getting more and more comfortable and understanding the system and the spacing and where he can find opportunities. He’s found them. His length defensively and his activity defensively is more important to his development. If he starts doing that on both ends, he is going to help us.”
- Budenholzer on 15-point game from rookie Mike Muscala
“It is important that we keep our guys as healthy as possible. Nobody this time of year feels 100 percent but we feel fortunate that we are in a relatively healthy place moving into the weekend.”
- Budenholzer on escaping regular-season finale uninjured
“Not very important. It’s just important that we continue to build and grow. I think that is what is most important to us. To be able to change our focus the last three quarters was important. Our group is in a good place heading into the weekend.”
- Budenholzer on ending regular season with win
“It was good to be able to rest my (right) thumb. Hopefully, the pain will subdue for Saturday. It’s also been good to rest my legs and get my body right.”
- Paul Millsap on resting final two games
“It felt good. Today I felt more bounce. I think it really helped me. We are trying to get everybody healthy before the first game (of the playoffs) so we can come out with a lot of energy.”
- DeMarre Carroll on rest over final two games
Coach as always been good about communicating with us guys. He asked me did I want to play so I could keep my rhythm. … That’s what I told him. Then me and Kyle talked and we decided we wanted to play.”
- Carroll on determination of how much rest he would get
“I think that was the plan. That was his plan and I was totally on board. We had that four games in five day stretch. There were a couple of guys who needed some rest so let’s take it. It felt good today to play some minutes and get some timing. You don’t want to take off a whole week and then go play a playoff game. It’s just not ideal. Just go out there and even if you don’t shoot a lot, get some contact, play some defense and run around.”
- Kyle Korver on rest over final two games
“The game didn’t have any playoff implications obviously but I thought we played well.”
- Mike Muscala on 15-point game
“I feel like my confidence has been growing the last few games. I’m getting more comfortable out there for sure.
- Muscala on importance of getting playing time while others rest
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