Pistons 119, Wizards 98
Q. The physicality in the first quarter seemed to disrupt you guys, but then the second quarter you were able to turn it around. What shifted for you all in that second quarter?
BRIAN KEEFE: The guys made -- I think it started even at probably the four-minute mark of the first quarter. The guys shifted what their mindset was, started being the ones that were the more physical team, disrupting them. You saw what happened. It turned the game pretty quickly.
A good lesson for us. We've got to come out from the start. But resiliency was great, bounced back, made it a tight game at the half, and I think we even took the lead in the third quarter, but then they kind of put a run on us the last part of that third.
But good lessons for our team, good growth.
Q. Part of those lessons is them going on that run in the third quarter. What adjustments were they able to make that seemed to bother you guys enough that they were able to make that distance?
BRIAN KEEFE: We had a couple turnovers that compounded it, a couple mistakes really. It was two threes by Duncan Robinson. One was a four-point play that kind of changed the rhythm of the game, and then give them credit. But our guys gave a good bounce back in that first quarter leading into halftime, showed what we're capable of doing when we play with force.
Q. Last season I know Kyshawn did have the ball in his hands a little bit more. With Bub going down tonight, it seemed like you made that shift of putting the ball in his hand a little bit more. What did you like about what he was able to do and kind of navigate being the primary ball handler?
BRIAN KEEFE: I think the best thing he did tonight was he helped us change our defense. That's what he did. Obviously you saw some of the play making stuff, but he had a big night on our defense. He got his hands on the ball, he was disruptive, and then that turned the game. We got some easy baskets, transition. But we're going to put the ball in his hands because he's got a good feel for the game. You saw what he's capable of doing. He's growing as a player.
Q. Part of the physicality was you guys getting to the free-throw line when you were able to impose yourselves. What did you like about the ability to get to the line? I know there was a stretch where it was kind of shaky with the free throws going down, but then finishing the game 83 percent from the line?
BRIAN KEEFE: Attacking. We want to attack the rim, put pressure on the rim. I think when we do that, we're pretty good. When we get on our heels and taking tough shots, that's not where we want to be. But for the most part, I liked how we turned around. Just didn't finish the game, didn't put a full 48 of that together.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports