Trail Blazers 108, Wizards 102
DENI AVDIJA: Hello, guys.
Q. Deni, how would you describe the fourth quarter tonight as you were battling back?
DENI AVDIJA: I think we started to turn on the engines pretty late. First half, didn't really rebound the ball well. We didn't defend well. Our threes weren't going tonight. That's part of it. There's a big difference between how we played in the first half and in the second half.
I think we got to be more prepared and come with some more juice beginning of the games. As I said, we had a lot of games this year that we started off really slow, then by the time you turn on the engines, it's too late. That's what happened tonight.
Q. What was it like leaving the last game, being able to come back and play well?
DENI AVDIJA: Hopefully my brain isn't damaged, so that's a good sign. But it's tough. Like, the docs did a good job of checking on me, making sure I'm staying healthy. I got cleared today in shootaround in the morning. All went well. I was ready to play.
Q. Did you think the LeBron play was a basketball play? And just about finishing, that's improved a lot. What clicked for you this year finishing?
DENI AVDIJA: You're asking about the LeBron play, if he did it on purpose? Is that what you're asking?
Q. Yeah, do you think...
DENI AVDIJA: I don't think he did it on purpose. I did get him in L.A. I at least expected...
If I hit somebody in the face, I expect to go and check on him. I felt like he didn't do it. That got me a little bit pissed off.
At the end of the day it's sports. I'm going to get hit. I don't care. Even if I get concussed. Part of it is just being a person, coming and asking how you're feeling. It just shows good sportsmanship. I feel like he didn't do it, which it's okay. It's fine. I got over it.
About my finishing... Just I'm aggressive, keep protecting the rim. That's about it. I mean, not too complicated.
Q. Looking forward, how excited are you about the young core?
DENI AVDIJA: I'm very excited. You see towards the end of the season, like, the chemistry is going up. We know how to play with each other better. We had some good wins. I feel like we have a lot of, first of all, very good people to build on. That's first of all, like having good people, having good work ethic in the organization is very important. I think everybody's excelling in that.
Other than that, like, we're very professional. I feel like everybody wants to win. Everybody wants to do the best for the team. I think there's a bright future in Washington, for sure.
Q. Strong offensive performance, but this loss does tie the franchise record. How do you balance those two things?
DENI AVDIJA: How do I balance that? I feel like, honestly... I'm sorry. Repeat the question. I got confused in my head.
Q. Strong offensive performance, but this loss does tie the franchise record. How do you balance those two things?
DENI AVDIJA: I feel like it's part of it. You do what you can do to win the game. Sometimes it just doesn't happen. You just don't win.
But I'm never going to play below 100%. Like, I'm always going to try my best to win. I'm always going to be aggressive and make sure my teammates get the right shots, making plays for other, being aggressive on defense and offense.
I feel like there's some nights... Basketball is a team sport. You need all the team to win. I feel like even if somebody had a good game, we need everybody. So doesn't really matter.
Q. Four games left. Is the prospect of setting the franchise record for losses something that you talk about at all?
DENI AVDIJA: We're not thinking about it right now. I mean, obviously you don't want to set negative records. I mean, we're going to try to win as many games as possible left on the season. That's it.
Q. What did you think about Jared Butler getting rewarded with a multi-year contract?
DENI AVDIJA: I'm very happy for him. Really good dude. Works hard. Always in the gym asking questions. I feel like when you see somebody that goes up, his value goes up, it's always exciting to see.
Hopefully he's going to keep working, stay humble, and he has a long career ahead of him.
Thank you.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports