What they said after the Hawks’ 103-96 win over the Knicks Saturday night at Philips Arena:
Mike Budenholzer
Opening statement: "I'm proud of our group in the way the competed and played in the second half. I think that is the way we need to play for more of the 48 minutes. That is what we are going to talk about. That is what we are going to work on. I think collectively the group really responded up and down, guys coming off the bench, starters, everywhere. We had a great defensive third quarter and then we were able to hold on and win the game."
On second-half adjustments: "There were no adjustments. The players competed harder and made a commitment to getting stops and rebounding. At halftime, we weren't doing well in either category. I think collectively they wanted to be different in the third and fourth quarter. I thought they did it."
On improving on six first-half assists: "We were more focused on our defense. I didn't even realize we had six in the first half or what we finished with. Defensively is where our focus is tonight. We've got to continue to get better there. The offense, I think, will come. We'll make shots and guys will finish but I think defensively is where we have to be focused.
On shutting down Carmelo Anthony: "Carmelo is such a good player. I don't think you can ever take credit for anything that happens. We threw multiple people at him. Starting with Paul, he is a unique power forward in that he can guard a guy like Carmelo, a guy who can step out on the court and play in the post. Then when you have guys like DeMarre (Carroll) and Thabo (Sefolosha) it helps when you have a great player that you can run fresh people at him and make it hard on him all night.
Jeff Teague
On difference in first and second half: "I think we got over being tired and just started playing."
On improving on six first-half assists: "Our feet were in some sand at the beginning of the game. Guys just couldn't get it going. Coach came in here and got on us and we picked it up."
On win after two disappointing losses: "It's just big to get a win and get off that little skid. They are a good team and they played hard and we have to face them again coming up (Monday).
Kyle Korver
On difference in first and second half: "I think it was just energy and a different mentality to be honest. We came out and played like we lost in double overtime the night before. Coach really challenged us at halftime and guys responded. That's what we needed.
On second-half adjustments: "We made a couple little adjustments but most of it was we lost in double overtime last night and we came out sluggish. They came out with a lot of pop and played well and made some shots and we got a little frustrated and down on ourselves. We needed halftime to come and regroup."
On six first-half assists due to sluggishness: "Totally. That's a big part of who we are. Play with the pass, that's what we say all the time. When the ball is moving, not just flipping passes around be really driving and getting to the lane, making the pass, that is when we are at our best. A lot of that comes with energy. If you are playing sluggish, you end up playing one-on-one a lot and shooting shots you don't really want.
DeMarre Carroll
On difference between first and second half: "I think us just being aggressive and not feeling sorry for ourselves. They played four games in five nights. This is our first back-to-back and we were feeling sorry for ourselves. Point blank. Coach came in here and got is message across real quick. We just responded.
On shutting down Carmelo Anthony: "We threw a lot of bodies at him. Paul started on him. Thabo came in. They did a great job. That is the biggest thing, you have to make him uncomfortable. I told coach let me get a shot, everybody else had a shot. Second half, coach gave me a shot and I did what I need to do. He is great player. You are not going to stop him. He is going to score his points. You just need to try to maintain and keep him below his average.
On 3-pointer to put Hawk up by seven with 1:25 left: "I kind of figured it out. That is the beauty of practicing in the summer. I didn't have enough legs. I had to use my legs. It felt good to see one go down. Once I saw it go down, I knew I was going to be OK."
Dennis Schroder
On his recent confidence: "My confidence, as I've told you, is through the roof. Coach trusts me now. I try to do everything on defense first and help the team get the energy going."
Paul Millsap
On guarding Carmelo Anthony: "We were just being aggressive – fronting him, denying him the ball. We know he just came off a back-to-back and the more we could make him work the harder it was going to be on him."
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