What they said after the Hawks’ 87-81 win over the Magic Friday night:
Mike Budenholzer
Opening statement: "Give our guys credit for finding a way to win a tough game. We weren't very good offensively. We weren't very efficient. We had guys come off the bench that changed the energy, changed the defense. That is what our group is about. It's a team. It takes a group. Different nights it's different people. We weren't particularly efficient offensively but our defense again gave us a chance to win. We are going to have to get better, really, on both ends but tonight was a good way to find a win."
On whether message was to get to basket with outside shots not falling: "Not quite as much. It's just a fine line. We like our guys confident. We like our guys shooting. But we want to attack. We want to get to the paint. Sometimes even when you are open it's not a bad idea to go ahead and drive it and get another guy a shot. So, we are continuing to find that balance of keeping our guys confident and keep attacking."
On whether he was upset with shot selection: "I feel like a lot of them are open but there are some opportunities to drive it, get to the rim, get in the pain, maybe get somebody more open. We'll go back and look at the film but I honestly think a lot of them were good looks. We have to walk that line of attacking and not just settling for jump shots."
On a positive to take from game after offensive struggles: "You know coaches, we rarely like to give positive (words) but for us to shoot the way we did and be in a little funk offensively, but you have to give their defense credit. When you can win games like this it's good because you don't want to just depend on making shots or depend on your offense. You've got to be good defensively. You've got to be able to win some ugly games."
On second quarter: "Ugly."
Jeff Teague
On win despite offensive struggles: "It's big. We needed a game like this where things weren't falling on the offensive end and we needed to pick it up defensively. In the second half we did a pretty good job making it tough on them. We changed our scheme and got more aggressive and active."
Kyle Korver
On win despite offensive struggles: "For a while, it felt like we weren't playing any defense this year. Teams were just scoring on us like crazy, it felt like. So, it's nice to not score the ball and still win. That means we are playing better on defense. We've got to start putting together some better games. We've been fortunate the last couple games. We are going to have to play better tomorrow night."
On whether game turned on Hawks defense: "I thought when Elton (Brand) came in the game he totally changed it. His aggressiveness. I don't know how many minutes he played and (he scored one point) but he came in and just totally changed the game. He brought our energy level way up as a whole. I thought from that point on we played a lot better. I thought he did a great job."
Dennis Schroder
On coming off bench to spark team: "I do it every time. I play with energy every time. That is the reason he trusts me and puts me in early in the second half. Me and EB did a great job in the pick-and-roll and then everybody kept rolling. I think that is what we have to do every night."
On challenge of guarding Elfrid Payton: "Yeah, I like it."
DeMarre Carroll
On winning streak: "I think the point is to play Hawks basketball. We are trying to build something here. As you can see, coach is trying to lay down the foundation. We are trying to take advantage of our opportunities. The winning streak isn't really the big thing, playing the right way is the biggest thing."
On win despite offensive struggles: "I says that we are capable of being a great defensive team. A lot of people say we are not but I think we are. It just shows that our team is really deep. We have a lot of guys who come in and spark us. It's just not the starting five. Our bench is just as deep."
Al Horford
On message after poor second quarter: "We needed to pick up our intensity. Elton coming in in the third changed the game for us, his intensity and toughness. I think that really got us over the top and got everybody playing faster and more aggressive. That is the way we have to play. That is the way we have to be."
On win despite offensive struggles: "It shows that even though we had a bad night shooting-wise, we were able to win. Sometimes when the shots aren't going in you can use that as an excuse, fall behind and not defend. But guys kept fighting. Guys kept defending. We played hard to the end."
Elton Brand
On being the difference maker: "That is a mindset. I have to bring defensive intensity out there. That's the role. Once I get out there I have to help in any way I can. That is how I've been able to help our team."
On win despite offensive struggles: "It just says we are not being complacent. Winning eight, nine in a row you could say we've done a great job. But we want to get as many wins as we can. That's what we went out and did. We hit some shots and played some defense."
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