What they said after the Hawks’ 117-98 win over the Cavaliers Friday night:
“The start that we got off to was something that was important. Defensively, we had a good first quarter and that fueled our offense and our ball movement. Obviously, that gave us the cushion that we were able to keep for most of the game. This team has been scoring at a high rate and playing really well, our defense was pretty steady all night. Our bench was exceptional tonight with Elton Brand and his defense and leadership, Lou Williams made some big plays and Mike Scott was good on both ends, was active and made a lot of shots. He was obviously a huge difference maker off the bench. It was a great team win. Our defense was solid for most of the game. We had a second quarter where we had nine turnovers. If we can start working on and get better at taking care of the ball than that is going to help us be better offensively. It was a good team win.”
- Hawks coach Mike Budenholzer’s opening statement
“We haven’t shot it that well recently. It makes a big difference for us. Lots of time we are making the extra pass and we are playing unselfish and we are getting pretty good looks and for whatever reason they weren’t going down. That is why we talk about that we can’t just rely on our 3-point shooting. We have to be good defensively. We have to be solid. We have to keep attacking the basket and get to the free-throw line and not just be dependent on the 3-point shot. Obviously, it’s pretty apparent that when we make them it makes a big difference.”
- Budenholzer on Hawks’ 3-point shooting
“The ball movement and the crispness and the sharpness, including the dribble attack and getting to the paint and hitting open guys, and then of course those guys have to make the shot. I thought the passing and the attack really set us up to have a good offensive night.”
- Budenholzer on Hawks’ 35-assist effort
“We were disciplined in our pick-and-roll coverage. We were more active earlier. If you get to your early shifts and your early rotations than you can get back to shooters. I think we did a better job tonight and we were more connected. We were in front of them more tonight and that allows you to stay with shooters more.”
- Budenholzer on Hawks’ defense
“All year, under a lot of different circumstances, we’ve said that we’ve got a group that we really like, that is resilient. They are a competitive group. A lot has been talked about. A lot has been said. I don’t put a lot of focus or attention on that but I’m sure the players to whatever degree played with a lot of focus and attention to detail. Those are things we talk about every night. Tonight, we were good.”
- Budenholzer on Hawks’ effort with playoff position on the line
“Jeff did so many good things for us with 12 assists and only three turnovers. Just attacking and making good decisions and good reads. They are an aggressive defensive pick-and-roll team and sometimes he has to make the pass and other times he had opportunities to attack. I think he had a good floor game and a lot of good decisions.”
- Budenholzer on Jeff Teague’s play
“Yeah, finally. I was in a little shooting slump but I kept being aggressive and kept getting extra shots (in practice) and they finally fell.”
- Mike Scott on breaking out of shooting slump
“They starting going in early. I started slipping a lot of screens.”
- Scott on getting open
“Everybody came off the bench ready. That is what we do. We try to come off the bench and have a lot of energy.”
- Scott on play of Hawks’ bench
“I wouldn’t say it was a statement but we took a step forward. We came out aggressive. We came out moving the basketball. We helped each other on defense. Things we’ve been preaching to do all season and we did it tonight.”
- Paul Millsap on victory
“It says a lot, especially what we’ve been through. We are still here fighting for a playoff spot. It really shows the character of this locker room.”
- Millsap on what win says about team
“I thought we came out with great energy and we just made shots. They just feed us. It was a great first quarter. The rest of the game we were up and down a little bit but because of that first quarter we had a little cushion. We started off the game well. We started off the third quarter well. We talked about the first five minutes (of the second half) being really important to push the lead back out. It was a big moment there. If they go on a run, it’s a tight game all of a sudden.”
- Kyle Korver on Hawks’ early start
“I don’t think I want to read too much into it. It’s good that we kept on fighting. It’s good to be healthy as a team. I thought our heads were in the right spot and that is what we need. Every game from here on out is going to be a big game. I don’t want to get too wrapped up in what this game says but it was a good game.”
- Korver on victory
“We as a locker room, as players, we don’t care what (draft) pick we get. It’s not our job. Our job is to go out there and play hard and try to win games. Our goal is not the eighth seed, either. I think that is all (general manager) Danny (Ferry) was saying. I’ve been in the NBA too long for my goal to be just to make the playoffs. I’ve been in the playoffs a lot. I want to be on a good team again. That is not our job to worry about. Our job is to go out and play hard and play well. I thought tonight you saw that.”
- Korver on not wanting to just make playoffs
“I think everybody played well, especially Mike (Scott). He was able to make shots. Yesterday was one of those days he came in and worked on his game just to get himself back on track. I’m glad the results paid off.”
- Lou Williams on play of bench
“We spoke about it. He just asked me what do I do? I said just get in the gym and shoot it out. He was able to play some 3-on-3 and he was very aggressive in those drills. Again, it paid off and he was able to get back on track.”
- Williamson play of Mike Scott in breaking out of slump
“I just think we should bottle it up and play like that for the remaining games. I think we played Hawks basketball tonight. Everybody did what they are capable of doing and it was one of the games that showed, coming down the stretch, we have to play like that.”
- Williams on meaning of victory
“They kicked our butts from beginning to the end.”
- Cavaliers coach Mike Brown on Hawks
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