What they said after the Hawks’ 96-87 victory over the Suns Friday night:
Coach Mike Budenholzer
Opening statement: "I think the fourth-quarter, the defense that we played, put us in a position where we could find a way to come back and win a tough game. I thought the ball movement and the sharing was better in the third quarter, fourth quarter. Obviously, Kent Bazemore had a big impact on tonight's game. He came off the bench and got rebounds and deflections, made a big 3, get to the rim. It's great to have someone come off your bench and impact the game like that."
On fourth-quarter defense: "I think our intensity can raise but I don't think that is something we want to sit back and rely on. I think that our defense was really better the whole second half. The 23-point third quarter and the activity and it carried over from the third quarter to the fourth quarter. We can't play that way for the first half."
On double-technicals on Dennis Schroder and Archie Goodwin: "There was a lot of an explanation but I think Dennis kind of looked at him a little bit. Not much but enough. So I think Dennis is growing and learning so much. As soon as one of his teammates said you can't look for even a half-second or something can happen. I think the refs did a good job. I don't think Dennis did a whole lot but it was probably a good decision."
Kyle Korver
On fourth quarter: "I think we weren't sharp in the beginning. I don't know if it was a hangover from the Denver game or what but we weren't sharp. But they also hit a bunch of tough shots. They shot the ball really well. It wasn't until that fourth quarter that we buckled down and I though (Kent Bazemore) came in and he guarded (Eric) Bledsoe so well and made it tough on him and I felt they really weren't in sync after that. Then we started getting some stops and we were able to get out and run and get some transition shots and were able to pull it out."
Paul Millsap
On fourth quarter: "I think our defense stepped up big time. Then on the other end, we made some shots and we moved the basketball and trusted each other. I think a lot of it was we figured them out a little bit."
Kent Bazemore
On his energy: "The energy picked up. Guys started flying around. Once we start playing our brand of basketball, get stops and be opportunistic on the break we kind of wore them out. They were killing us on iso-ball and we took the challenge down the stretch and got stops when we needed them.
Dennis Schroder
On fourth-quarter dunk: "Everybody said I pushed (Archie Goodwin) down. I just tried to dunk it and I raised my hand and he fell. But I looked at him. I think that changed the whole game. It was great for us."
On staring down Goodwin: "I learned something. It was a great situation and it changed the game but next time I have to keep going and don't look at him."
On Goodwin striking at him: "He bumped me. I hope he gets something for that. If not, we won the game. That's all we needed."
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