Washington Wizards Media Conference

Friday, December 1, 2023

Washington, DC, USA

Wes Unseld Jr.

Media Conference


Magic 130, Wizards 125

Q. How did they pull away in the fourth quarter there?

WES UNSELD JR.: Well, I thought a little bit in the third, that second half in general, some of the offensive rebounding, allowing free throws in that third quarter, I think that hurt us a little bit. 11 set their defense. Took really good care of the ball that first half and had several turnovers in that third, I believe seven turnovers in that quarter. So it kind of got us off balance a little bit.

But in general, I thought the effort and overall intent was better tonight. The defensive disposition was much better.

You know, you come up short, but I thought that was somewhat of a bounce back for us.

Q. What did you see in the first quarter with those back cuts? I think they had four baskets of back cuts.

WES UNSELD JR.: Yeah, it's just kind of an awareness. You're in a shrink spot, and just knowing how much help to give, also understanding that's a strength of this team. They cut really well and generate a lot of points that way, so just having an awareness of being a step below your offensive man and head on a swivel a little bit, but cleaned that up a little bit in the second half, obviously, but that's certainly something to take a look at.

Q. In the fourth quarter did your team's offense lose a lot of the thrust that it's looking for? I understand that Orlando was at the line a lot --

WES UNSELD JR.: Well, I've got to give them credit. They've got some really quality defenders. They got into us a little bit. It takes your tempo away, obviously, with free throws, which plays in our favor.

But I'm not going to take anything away from Orlando. They do a really good job defensively, and they pressure a little bit.

But that's most fourth quarters. The game is going to slow, and you've got to grind it out, find best possessions.

Q. Your thoughts on Paolo and Franz; what kind of problems are they presenting for teams out there?

WES UNSELD JR.: Yeah, they've got positional size. Both able to play pick-and-roll, score on three levels, stretch you a little bit from three, play off the bounce, can post you. With those guys both on the floor at the 3 and the 4, a lot of nights teams want to switch 1 through 3, 1 through 4. You can't do that. So it kind of stretches you that way.

I think both guys play at their own pace, so it's tough to speed them up. Very good in the pocket, slow playing drives, and do a great job of finishing through contact.

It's quite the duo, and because of that size, it's a tough matchup.

Q. How much did Suggs' defensive effort kind of set a tone in that game?

WES UNSELD JR.: Well, I think he does it most nights, to his credit. That's certainly a strength of his. But good defensive players, they're going to do that. They're going to try and wind you up, get you off your spots at times, pressure you, they're very handsy, and just kind of ways to create leads, create separation, maybe be a little cleaner with our setups. But beyond that, I think that's something we'll continue to see. They're going to put good defenders on our best players.

FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports
139484-1-1002 2023-12-02 03:12:00 GMT

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