Wizards 118, Spurs 113
Q. In where did you see pockets?
BRIAN KEEFE: I like how we battled tonight. We were struggling a little bit early. We make a run, they would get up. We'd make another run. It was our mental stamina of just kind of staying with the game plan, staying focused and not getting the game get away. I don't know what the highest was, I think it was 14.
We just kept playing. We fought through some adversity through the game. We were struggling. We had some tough stretches and our guys just kept grinding the game out. I think it was just great growth for us as we try to build this thing.
Q. What were the key factors?
BRIAN KEEFE: First of all, defense, I mean, 20-point fourth quarter, I thought our physicality, our intensity level really ratcheted up in the fourth. I think you saw down the stretch, we trusted the pass. Tyus and Kyle were playing a little two-man game. We found Bilal for one three. We found Jordan for one three.
So we hit the open man and we just made a simple, play, and the trust factor was great. So a lot of that down the stretch for our team was that we were sharing the ball. You know, Jordan, it didn't happen for a few possessions and he hit a big one in the corner. You guys all remember that play. So you've got the defensive intensity and trusting each other on the offense.
Q. What did you like about Gafford rebounding in particular? He had a good night on the offensive glass.
BRIAN KEEFE: Gaff I don't think gets enough credit on our team. He was down there, obviously had that huge one down the stretch in that offensive rebound that kind of sealed the game off. His defensive intensity, his activity on the glass. He's been our anchor, and I see growth in him even these last couple games.
Q. In the third quarter, the momentum was changing. Could you tell that things were starting to shift?
BRIAN KEEFE: We kept talking about it in the time-outs, just stick with it, keep battling. We haven't played our best yet. When we got to the fourth quarter, our guys mentally had the stamina to kind of keep competing through the end, and it was a good finish for us.
Q. Two-man (inaudible) was that your choice or is that you trusting -- down the stretch?
BRIAN KEEFE: It's a great thing that we kind of played a different type of pick-and-roll before, and this time, we -- Tyus and Kyle. They talked about it in the time-out. Kyle had brought it up, let's try this. I have complete faith. We were just running our little two-man game at the end and they just kept making the right decisions and that's what you like. All three, baskets -- Tyus with the jumpshots. Just tried to put those guys in positions to be successful and I trust those guys. They made great decisions down the stretch and carried us and finished out the game.
Q. What was the turning point in the game, the three points in the corner?
BRIAN KEEFE: The three by Bilal was obviously a big pass. Him and Jordan pulled the two big ones where we just made the extra pass, right play, we trusted it. The process was great. If they miss a shot, it still would have been the right play. We're starting to build some good habits.
Q. (Inaudible).
BRIAN KEEFE: Day-by-day. It will never be -- we have to keep growing as a team. It I thought that was the important part of the game is that we are still learning each other. We're still learning each other's teammates; they are still they are me. We are going to grow. That's something that's going to be constant to the final game. We have to keep improving. Keep getting our habits, our process better, and I think examples tonight like that are a good test for us.
Q. I don't think you want to be sentimental, but what's it like to have coached a basketball game here in this building where you began your career?
BRIAN KEEFE: Yeah, I haven't quite that about it. I think I mentioned it before the game. I have tremendous gratitude for being here and I count my blessings that I started my career with those guys. Such a first-class organization. I have such memories here.
Q. Sitting that far back --
BRIAN KEEFE: Yeah, he got his tooth -- got a tooth problem. We were dealing with that and he came back in and played some good basketball.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports