What they said after the Hawks’ 104-87 win over the Mavericks Wednesday:
Coach Mike Budenholzer
Opening statement: I would like to start off my thanking our fans for coming out. They really helped us. We did not start well but they stuck with us. The players stuck with what we do. We were able to get our defense in a better place – 19 and 15 point quarters in the second, third and fourth quarters. It was great to see that many people come out in not the most ideal circumstances. Very appreciative of that and that our defense picked up after the first quarter.
On third quarter: Our aggressiveness to start the third quarter and the players got comfortable with what we were doing and sticking with our basics and activities and our hands and getting turnovers. I think the energy changed. Dallas is in here on some tough circumstances and we were fortunate that we could turn it.
On Dennis Schroder: I thought Dennis early, middle, late was really a big factor. Seventeen points, four assists, he hit shots, he guarded, he did a lot of things well. We needed him tonight.
DeMarre Carroll
On second half: "I think we came out and were more aggressive on the defensive end. In the beginning we were letting them run what they wanted to run. I think we were overthinking early in the game. In the second half, coach was like 'Let's play basketball.'"
On near postponement: "Not to make excuses but as an NBA player, this being our job, it's not only physical it's mental too. They told me the game was off and I got my family and we went to the grocery store. We thought we were going to get snowed in. Then I get a text message when I'm in aisle seven pushing the buggy and they tell me the game is on. I had to hurry up. There was a lot of chaos."
On defense: "It feels good. It feels like we are trusting each other. Guys have each other's back on the defensive end. We are flying buy guys. That is the biggest thing these last couple games."
Kyle Korver
On near postponement: It was definitely an interesting day. We definitely didn't come out well. I thought the last three quarters we played pretty good basketball.
On second half: "The defense really turned it around. We let up 34 points in the first quarter and they didn't score 20 in a quarter after that. That was huge."
