Sacramento Kings 143, Washington Wizards 131
Q. What differences were there?
WES UNSELD, JR.: I thought we started really well. I think, you know, whether it's turnovers a little bit there and had a stretch, but I thought overall, you know, the first 16, 18 minutes were pretty good. I think they got a little bit more physical with us.
You know, we missed some shots and they disrupted our offense a bit. But you know, I'll highlight some of the positives, of course, Tyus continues to play well. Jordan was very efficient tonight, and Kuz got it going there in the second half.
So there were some stretches, some bright spots. I think in the middle of the second quarter, beginning of the third is where it got a way front of us a bit.
Q. How key to them opening up that lead was second-chance points?
WES UNSELD, JR.: Well, quite a few. I mean, he is that's the nature of this team. They are good second-chance points. Not high volume offensive rebounding but as far as converting they do a really good job. Had a handful of turnovers I think in that stretch as well that probably cost us.
But keeping the ball in front, to their credit, they are really good playing downhill and playing with force and they do a really good job of finding the next action. If you relax for a second, you know, they are on to the next one. Makes it very difficult for to guard.
Q. Your point about the physicality, how tougher is it managing the bigs when you don't have Gall in the second half, at least back-to-back, like you mentioned, Gaff takes a beating the night before.
WES UNSELD, JR.: I thought Gaff, you know, gave great effort. He's a handful for everybody. So it's a tough matchup regardless. When you're down a couple bigs, of course, it takes its toll. Picked up some early fouls with Deni and Kuz a little bit but you know just doing your work early. Trying to minimize deep end catches. I.
Think we fell into fouling a little bit as well which allows them to walk to the line and set their defense. Just being able to guard those guys, keep them out of the paint and do it without fouling would be ideal.
Q. You mentioned as well the offense didn't look as fluid as it has in some games. What was Jordan able to work?
WES UNSELD, JR.: Well, I think the pick-and-rolls. Very efficient at pick-and-rolls, playing downhill, making the right read. And then once he sees the ball go in a couple times, I think that opens things up for him. You know, I think we lost a little bit of the pace and some of it I think is with our inability to get a stop and/or we were fouling. So we couldn't get out and run.
Q. Is that was kind of my point. I feel like Jordan is always best when you guys are doing well and getting out and playing.
WES UNSELD, JR.: Yeah.
Q. He was able to create that rhythm on his own?
WES UNSELD, JR.: Yeah, he was. I thought that was a good sign, playing pick-and-rolls up the floor, allows him to -- turns him loose a bit and get into the paint. When he's got space, he's good enough to make step-back threes.
Q. Not necessarily just about tonight but with Corey, is his -- do you feel like his output matches how positive of a season he's having individually with his growth and everything?
WES UNSELD, JR.: Not sure I understand the question.
Q. Looking at his it numbers, you wouldn't necessarily know how generally good of a season he's having. Is that just because of the way you guys use him where he's coming off the bench and you've got a bunch of guards you're trying to get shots to or what do you feel like?
WES UNSELD, JR.: I think he's having a really good year. Even defensively, I think he's been remarkably better. Just better in overall coverage. I think he's taken on the challenge of guarding and being more efficient on both sides of the ball. We've talked about his ability to play with force and play downhill, it's a by-product of the team running him off. He keeps adding different dimensions to his game. I think he's really settled in in a rotation spot, and to see him continue to grow is a positive.
Q. Does it matter that his scoring is not as consistent, issue as you would like? I know you guys are focusing on non-scoring, non-results this year.
WES UNSELD, JR.: He is auto aware, he has not shot the ball as well as he would like. His free throw percentage has dipped a little bit. Some of it's by-product of being out there longer. You're playing against different matchups. Sometimes you're playing against more starter units.
But I'm not necessarily concerned with that. I think it will even itself out. He's a good enough shooter. He's shown ability to score high range and shoot with efficiency. I think that water will find its level.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports