Wizards 132, Hornets 116
Q. What did you make of the defensive effort, especially at the three-point line?
WES UNSELD JR.: Yeah, it was good, really good. We talked about the priority being the paint. Still gave up quite a few paint points, more than we wanted to. Those led to a high volume of free throws, as well.
But the big key also was the transition. We took care of that area when we had fast break points, forced them to play more of a half court, grind it out for points. They made some tough plays, but that second quarter defense was big for us.
Another high deflection night. I thought guys really just exerted the energy, played with some purpose, and I thought in general the communication was where it should be.
Q. The lead did get down to nine in the third quarter. What did you see there coming out of the half?
WES UNSELD JR.: Well, teams are going to make runs, and we allowed them even in the third quarter. Had some great looks I think before that first time-out, just didn't make them.
The whole message was just stay in the process, keep generating the right shots. Obviously we've got to get some stops, which we wound up doing, but we didn't let it get us sideways. Still played the right way, played with the right amount of purpose. Just overall a great team win at the end of a long trip.
Q. What did you think of your bench play?
WES UNSELD JR.: Yeah, the bench was unbelievable. They've shown spurts for us so far this season, and to see it in significant stretches, it's comforting to know that you've got guys who can come in and impact the game offensively, defensively, stem the tide, hold off runs. That shows a lot of character for guys who to this point haven't gotten a lot of minutes. But they were ready when their number was called and responded.
Q. What do you imagine Larry's role could kind of evolve into?
WES UNSELD JR.: Yeah, he's played that way the bulk of his career. He plays fast, hit hand-backs, quick shooting on pin-downs, hunts threes in transition.
I think his activity just causes a lot of confusion, puts a lot of pressure on defenses with his ability to stretch the floor, whether it's three, and shoot it quickly. That opens up a lot of things, cutting, puts a lot of pressure on that back line because you're always worried about slips, guys rolling out of situations because you've got to be up to touch with him. He's shown it his whole career, but I think playing with that pace, especially that second unit, it opens up the floor for those guys.
Q. Friday night home game against the same opponent. What do you have to do to get ready for that game?
WES UNSELD JR.: Well, I think it's tough. After a long trip, sometimes that first game back feels like another road game. They're going to make some adjustments. I anticipate them coming out with a degree of physicality. They're going to heighten that area, put more pressure on us. We've got to be able to match that.
So great win tonight, and we certainly don't want to rest on that. We've got to make sure we're attacking with the same mindset, same purpose.
If we do that, I think we'll give ourselves a chance to come home with another one.
Q. (Indiscernible) how do you balancing those guys, especially Geno? He's played quite a bit.
WES UNSELD JR.: Yeah, I think I'll have some discussions with Will. I think it's important those guys get reps. You can't simulate that in practice. They have played a little bit for us thus far, but you want them to have meaningful stretches and see what they can do at their positions, put them in different spots. That experience I think is something you just can't orchestrate other than going through it, so I think it's important those guys get an opportunity to play.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports