What they said after the Hawks’ 105-96 victory over the Wizards Wednesday:
Coach Mike Budenholzer
Opening statement: "I think our defense in the first and fourth quarter is kind of where we want it to be and we want to build from that. An 18-point first quarter and a 22-point fourth quarter allowed us to beat a team where a lot of different guys played well for them tonight. They had us on our heels in the third quarter. (John) Wall was excellent tonight, distributing and scoring. It was a heck of a matchup at the point guard position. I thought he and Jeff Teague were both outstanding. I think we have to build off that first and fourth quarter defense. I would like to take one second to congratulate our starting five on the recognition that the NBA has given to them for their work this past month. I'm very happy for them but very happy for the entire team, the entire organization. I think it's reflective of all the work everyone puts in each day. I'm appreciative for that recognition of their work the past month."
On team-first approach getting recognized: "It's something that is reflective of how the group is playing and that our team, hopefully, can be a challenge for our opponent every night on both ends of the court and that we are doing things together collectively. That is what we are talking about every day whether anybody else recognizes it or not. It's not our mission. We know in our locker room how important it is. We'll keep hammering away at doing things as a group."
On adjustment in fourth quarter: "Players can't play 48 minutes. They had to take Wall out at some point. It's one of the few times we'll probably be glad it's a long season and there are 48-minute games. Our guys' effort of getting over and through screens was a little bit better. They set great screens. Their bigs are big. Then they roll and they were finding them. Our ability to get through screens was better. It wasn't any big adjustment."
On taking quick 3-pointers in third quarter: "There were a couple that stand out in my mind that were quick but it's always a balance we are walking and we like for our guys to be confident and feel good about taking advantage of opportunities. We are constantly working and trying to find when is the appropriate time and the best shots. There were a couple that stand out to me that weren't our best possessions."
On Al Horford: "He looked like he really was going to attack the basket and attack the paint. It's always good whether it's he or anybody that has that mindset about getting into the paint and getting to the basket. He had a big offensive rebound and putback. He can be such a threat there. I think that has really added to his game where we are not just shooting jump shots but all of us are getting into the paint and attacking off the dribble and through the post. He is a big part of that."
Al Horford
On third-quarter defense: "They made a good run and I felt like we were just able to hang on to it. They took the lead. We stayed poised. They kept playing our style of play."
On fourth quarter run: "Coach talked to us going into the fourth. He challenged our team and we came out and responded. We were much better defensively in the fourth."
On Player of the Month award: "That's awesome. Jessica (Taylor) told me that at the end of the game. I had no idea. When she said it I was like 'I don't know what she's talking about.' But it's pretty awesome. I don't think it's ever happened before and it's a testament to our team and how how our guys work. The league recognizing us is nice."
On his 24 shots: "Jeff (Teague) just kept giving me the ball. And all the shots looked good so I kept taking them. Coach told me to keep being aggressive and shooting the ball. A lot of them felt good, they just didn't go in. That is just the way it goes sometimes."
Jeff Teague
On point guard matchup with Wall: "It was a good game overall. I'm just happy we got the win."
On late run to win game: "It's part of the NBA. You make runs and that is a good team. They've got talented players. We knew they were going to come back and make it a game. They executed. They found the ball in the paint. We fouled and got them in the bonus early. We just made some defensive mistakes in the third quarter.
On win: "It's just big to get a win and get back on the winning track. We had a tough loss in New Orleans. To come home and get a big win like this, we are just happy."
On Player of the Month award: "It's crazy. It's a cool thing. That just shows we're a team. We're always like that. That's cool of the NBA to do that."
On Mike Scott dunk: "That dunk was weak (laughing). They got hype off that? I don't even think I cheered on that. No, it was good dunk. He got everybody out of their seats. The crowd went crazy. It was amazing."
Mike Scott
On dunk: "I was just trying to make a play and be aggressive. That happens."
On reaction: "It felt good. Everyone got, what us young kids say these days, called hype. It got the crowd going. It felt good."
On bounce-back win: "It was very important. We knew we weren't going to win all the games. We just put that game behind us and got ready for Washington."
