76ers 146, Wizards 128
Q. How difficult is it to keep that level of defense up when the second unit comes in against a team like Philadelphia?
KYLE KUZMA: I mean, I think we did a pretty solid job today. Third quarter has been really rough for us, and I think we had a little bit better spunk at the start of the third. Obviously I think we played really well in the first quarter.
Second quarter got a little bit away from us.
Then third quarter I think we did good, but we just -- kind of just gave them the steady diet, and Joel took advantage of that. He had a couple -- multiple shots in the middle of the paint.
We showed some fight, but we've got to be better.
Q. Where did you feel the slippage in the second quarter?
KYLE KUZMA: You know, just little plays, transitioned, hit a couple threes, Melton hit a couple threes, Tobias was scoring. They were just playing good team basketball, making split-out rotations, and they hit tough shots. Not tough shots, but they had good shots, and they made them.
Q. What needs to happen to get the defense for the entire team on a decent track?
KYLE KUZMA: Just more attention to detail. I think if we just hone in to our matchups, we hone in to the rotations, player tendencies, then we can give ourselves a better chance.
Q. I know that the expectations for the season were different. How are you handling the way that these first six games have gone?
KYLE KUZMA: I mean, nobody said it was going to be easy. Coming in, obviously we want to be competitive every night. We haven't been competitive every night. It starts with me. It starts with Poole, it starts with Tyus, starts with all of us. Just got to bring it next game. Just got to be better. I'll be better.
Q. How useful is it that you've seen a lot and have some perspective on things?
KYLE KUZMA: I mean, a lot of perspective. I think when the Lakers started out 2-13 last year, teams always start bad coming out of the gate, but it's a long season. It's 82 games. You've got to throw them out the window right away because at the end of the day you're going to play multiple, multiple games. I think we've just got to stick together as a team, and we'll get it clicking. We'll have a nice string of games, and that's all we need to see. Just like throwing the ball in one time and now the rim is open, so we've just got to get a win and feel good about ourselves.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports