Wizards 118, Trail Blazers 117
Q. What did you see there defensively on Portland's game-winning attempt there?
WES UNSELD JR.: I mean, it was good defense. They executed what looked like the same play prior and got an easy two. I thought he did a really good job of extending the catch. We talked about not fouling in that situation. Showed pretty good discipline, of course, not to foul. Help came to make a play at the rim, and they came up short, and obviously time ran out. Was pretty good defense.
Q. What did you see from your team there in that fourth quarter being outscored by 12 points?
WES UNSELD JR.: I'll give Portland credit. Obviously Simons got going, and we've seen him, he's very capable of doing that. I thought we showed some resilience. Outside of the defensive rebounding, which we knew was going to be a bit of an issue, I think 10 for 12 in that quarter, I thought we did some good things. We showed a little bit of mental and physical fortitude to make enough plays to win the game, and that's what I told the guys, it's okay to win ugly. It's not always going to be clean and easy.
That's growth for us. We've had some close games that got away from us, but of course it's great to come away with a win regardless of how you get it.
Q. We asked you about Tyus pregame, but what did you notice him kind of turn a corner? The past couple games have been good. Was it right around the Indiana game --
WES UNSELD JR.: I think it was a stretch before that, and he wasn't shooting the ball great, but he was still doing a lot of the positives, of course moving the ball and making plays. But I think it was a handful of games prior that you really started to see him settle in and take more reigns and ownership of the group and organizing offense, and of course since the Indiana game, it's almost elite.
Q. Gaff obviously fouled out late but did good work early. What did you see from him?
WES UNSELD JR.: He was tremendous. I know it's a lot, and people will say, well, because he's the 5 and he owns the lion's share of those offensive rebounds, but he's making plays, blocking shots, required to bring help to the ball, which opens up the backside so our smalls have to do a better job of helping him. But I thought he did a really good job, just showing a little physicality, being a rim protector, and of course the offensive rebounds, put-backs, finishes, those are bonus points.
Q. What did you see from Kuz tonight?
WES UNSELD JR.: I thought Kuz was very efficient. I think he played with a level of force but also with purpose, and he's done that the last two weeks. He's had a stretch of games where he's been really, really deliberate, and I think that's been great for him.
The early kick-aheads, transition opportunities early in the game, he along with others, but he's a guy who's been doing that for us all season.
Then late game being able to make plays. Came up big a couple of offensive possessions but even off the free throw, getting the second-chance points and getting back to the line.
Q. How would you describe finally being able to break through a little bit?
WES UNSELD JR.: Yeah, like I said, it's growth. They're not always going to be ideal, but a win is a win, and we still extract lessons and teaching things that we can lean in on going forward, but those lessons are a little easier to stomach when you get a W.
Q. What was your opinion about the flopping violation on Jordan --
WES UNSELD JR.: I can disagree with it. I'd have to go back and watch it to see. Those calls are tough because they happen in the moment, and they're not reviewable. So it makes it a little bit difficult.
Q. Did it feel like you guys won that game or that you guys survived this game?
WES UNSELD JR.: Whatever you want to call it, we won the game. I'll take it. We can survive games from here on out by one, and I'll take it.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports