Rockets 135, Wizards 112
Q. It seemed like the game got flipped on its head in the second half. They started making a lot of threes and they were dominating in the paint. What do you think was the difference between the first half and the second half?
BILAL COULIBALY: Yeah, first half we were very defensive. The rotations were good. We were really involved and physical. Second half we came out a little bit slow, lost the ball a lot of times. That's why it got them going. Yeah, I would say that was the difference.
Q. How are you feeling physically coming back from that illness?
BILAL COULIBALY: A little better, yeah. I can play through that.
Q. What did you think about the space creation from the rookies? Do you think they create space well enough to make it efficient for you and your teammates?
BILAL COULIBALY: Yeah, definitely. I think especially Bo, he's really good with that post dribble. That why it gets the guys open most of the time. They're really good with the spacing and all that, yeah.
Q. How have you felt about your shooting over the last month or so?
BILAL COULIBALY: Pretty good. I'm confident. Yeah, I feel confident.
Q. How are you feeling just in general? You've gotten a lot more on-ball reps with Jordan and Malcolm out. How have you felt about how those reps are going?
BILAL COULIBALY: Oh, I love it. That's what I need to get better, and I think I'm getting better like that. Yeah, I feel really good.
Q. What kind of things do you think you're getting better at?
BILAL COULIBALY: Ball handling, reading the game, especially like our play making (indiscernible).
Q. Corey talked about how he's been a lot looser since he came back from the injury and how that's helped his shooting. Have you noticed that in any conversations or any moments you've shared with him?
BILAL COULIBALY: I've noted that he's way more confident shooting the ball. That's why I always try to find him. Yeah, he's way more confident than early in the season, and he can sell.
Q. Last year after the game against the Mavericks, I asked Grant Williams against you, and he said that you kind of have a Herb Jones kind of archetype, just being a long, physical defender. Do you think that Herb Jones is a player that you can sort of emulate your game to be like?
BILAL COULIBALY: Yeah, I heard about that. Yeah, he's a really good player I like defensively. I've been watching tapes about him, so yeah, I'd say I can compare my game defensively to him.
Q. Are there any other players you think you're similar to?
BILAL COULIBALY: Defensively, I've heard a lot of names, but for me, I don't really like to compare myself. I'd say just myself.
Q. I wanted to ask about Bub's pull-up shooting has been really impressive. What have you seen from that part of his game, especially how he's moved from taking more big-range shots to now those pull-ups from three?
BILAL COULIBALY: Yeah, I know what he's talking about because on that hand, those pull-up threes, I hadn't seen him shoot a lot of them at the beginning of the season, but he's getting way more comfortable with it. He's knocking them down, so I'm happy. We need these, yeah.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports