Hawks 130, Wizards 121
Q. It seemed like things were going pretty well up to midway through the second quarter and then Atlanta went on its big run. What changed?
WES UNSELD JR.: Well, I think they started to play with a little more purpose, a little more physicality. I thought early in the game to a point we were moving the ball, creating easy offense for us, and we stopped playing that way for a stretch. Part of it, give them credit, they started to up their intensity, and I think took us out a little bit. Then in the third quarter, obviously, that's not the way we want to start the second half.
But I give those guys credit. We were able to make some changes and get some guys out there, and once again, they get after it. We got some quality minutes, and we got a chance to see some pretty good things.
Q. What did you think about how Landry fit in and what he was able to do tonight?
WES UNSELD JR.: It was good to see him out there. I know he's missed quite a bit of time, but I think he fits in, so we'll see. He's a guy that can make shots, his movement, the cutting, he creates a lot of coverage confusion when he's slipping in space or cutting. He's got quick shooting up and down.
To have another guy out there obviously without Corey, it gives you a similar dynamic.
Q. What is the update on Corey?
WES UNSELD JR.: Right now just like a neck sprain is all I know. I'll see him one-on-one -- he'll see me early tomorrow.
Q. What's your assessment of Jordan Poole's defense tonight and so far this season?
WES UNSELD JR.: Well, it's got to be better. He's not the only one. (Indiscernible) has gotten better, but that's just something we have to continue to work on and we've got to find ways to be in the right spots at the right times, but it's a five-man game. It's not just him out there. We've seen it; he's been able to defend at a high level. He's had stretches and moments, just need to be more consistent.
Q. Four games in, how much more comfortable does Deni look with his range shooting?
WES UNSELD JR.: Without knowing the exact numbers, he seemed more confident, so that's a huge plus. I still like the fact that he plays downhill, wants to get to the paint, and I think that dynamic opens up his three a little bit. Make the spot-up threes, get downhill, get to the free-throw line. It's still a work in progress, but he's put a lot of time in, and I think he's shooting with confidence.
Q. They racked up, I think, 19 second-chance points. What did you see out of your defensive board? Was it the absence of your 6'10" center --
WES UNSELD JR.: Yeah, that plays into it. Some of it is making them take tough, contested shots in the paint and trying to retrieve the role. Some of our smalls got to get in the mix and help, but on the flipside, we were able to get down in their paint, as well. Scored 74 in the paint.
Would have liked to defend a little better without fouling. It was a point of emphasis going in. But that's just one of those areas we have to control.
Q. On that note, given they were two very different opponents, different lineups, how do you think you adjusted from the first game without Gaff to tonight?
WES UNSELD JR.: I think we were a little more balanced with Mike out there just as far as spatially (indiscernible) with Kuz at the 5, having played a ton of minutes. They did some things that we wanted to do defensively as far as switching, but it throws you off, get them off a little bit having not played together. I thought we were a little better with Mike.
Q. Would you like to see that group that went out against Boston get more minutes and get more comfortable with that?
WES UNSELD JR.: Yeah, it's just hard. You're trying to get minutes, and the guys are coming in and out, but those pairings are something you want to look at early in the year knowing at times could be injury, absence, what have you. There's a comfortability with that.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports