76ers 119, Wizards 113
Q. What allowed them to hold on there in the fourth quarter?
BRIAN KEEFE: We didn't start with a defensive disposition to start the game, and that kind of carried over at the end. What was good, though, is I think we got down -- the biggest lead was 15, but we did cut it to two there with under five minutes to go, so we saw some good resilience, but we didn't guard the ball as well as we should.
Q. You mentioned the defensive disposition. Was that what led to the paint?
BRIAN KEEFE: Yeah, collectively we didn't come over and help and protect the rim as well as we should. We allowed too much triple penetration, then our help wasn't there, and they were getting points at the basket.
Q. What did you see on your defensive board tonight?
BRIAN KEEFE: Defensive board, they hurt us late. I thought it was okay for the most part, but late in the game they got some key ones that kind of changed the flow at the end.
Q. As you continue to determine lineups, et cetera, will you be more likely to play a traditional big if the defensive rebounding struggles late in games?
BRIAN KEEFE: Yeah, I thought tonight we just were trying to find combinations of rhythms. Got back in the game, obviously went a little bit smaller with Kyle and Deni at the 4-5, but they were the ones who kind of got us back in the game. We're going to play everybody. Tonight was just one of those games where we were trying to find a rhythm, and those two made a really good push for us.
Q. Even in a loss Deni had another solid performance with 21 points and 13 rebounds. Can you talk about his overall performance even through adversity?
BRIAN KEEFE: I think Deni has shown some tremendous growth here in the last even six to eight games. Big game on the boards tonight, like we have him guarding multiple guys. He's play making, attacking. He's showing growth. I'm trusting him to make decisions with the ball and attack the rim, but what I like is his rebounding has been high the last few games. That's what we need from him.
Q. Marvin Bagley obviously returned to the lineup tonight and wasn't able to play as many minutes as he would like, but his defensive ability was there as soon as he returned to the lineup. Do you have any thoughts on how he can help the lineup?
BRIAN KEEFE: Marvin has been great. We've really enjoyed having him here, his defensive presence, his rebounding, his offensive rebounding. Like I said, we just went a little bit smaller to try to speed the game up, get some quickness out there. Just one of those matchup things tonight.
Q. When Tyus is on from a scoring standpoint as he was tonight, how does that change the complexion of what you're able to do as an offense?
BRIAN KEEFE: I always tell Tyus to be super aggressive. He's always the one trying to set up his teammates, but I like when he's pushing the pace, looking to score for himself because it's going to create openings for his teammates, and he's such a good passer. I always encourage Tyus to be aggressive on the offensive end because it's really going to help our offense really get going.
Q. What did Tyrese Maxey do tonight to give you guys trouble?
BRIAN KEEFE: You guys saw it. He was in the paint too much, driving in the paint. Our help protection wasn't there. Just attacking us.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports