Spurs 119, Wizards 94
Q. Where do you feel like that game got away from you guys and why?
BRIAN KEEFE: I thought there was actually a lot of great lessons to learn from. Obviously this team was a finalist in the Cup just a few days ago, and we did a lot of positive things first half to really cut that lead, and then we came out and we really executed some stuff defensively the first two minutes of the third quarter, which we had made some adjustments at halftime, and the guys were able to do it. They called a quick time-out, went on a little mini-run.
I think those are the things you learn in these games; the stats are pretty much almost even. They made a couple threes right there, and then our energy just dropped a little bit. Then a box-out here, maybe a loose ball there, that's what the game comes down to is these small margins when you're playing good teams and high-level basketball.
I think the third quarter we just had a couple things there that happened, that kind of turned the tide, but those are things we can really look at. We'll look at the film tomorrow and really grow from.
Q. Do you feel like it was just the timing of that missed box-out or that missed loose ball compounded with them getting on a run and hitting a couple threes that really shifted everything for you before you could catch your footing?
BRIAN KEEFE: Yeah, just shifted the energy a little bit. Got to give them credit; they made a couple contested threes themselves, and that's part of the deal in the NBA. You're not always going to have shooting nights the way you want. Can you keep battling? Can you keep doing the little things, keep grinding the game out? We've had a couple of those games lately where we've had that. But give them some credit. A lot to learn. We can take a look at the film where we can make some adjustments.
But when you play good teams like this, good lessons, and we'll use them going forward.
Q. What did you think of the way Alex and Bilal played in their first game? I know with a minutes restriction, but still going out there, and what did you see from them exactly?
BRIAN KEEFE: I thought they were good, brought some good energy. Obviously you saw their defensive presence, just having them out there, the length, the size, and then offensively they do positive stuff for us. You see Alex, the way he can roll to the rim, obviously the spacing, his passing, Bilal's ability to attack the rim. It's just nice to have those guys back in the lineup because it gives us a lot of versatility up there.
Q. With the unconventional defensive matchup with Bilal guarding Victor, what did you want to see from that, and why did you go there versus maybe throwing Alex or Marvin just with the size?
BRIAN KEEFE: You know, he's done a good job on guys like that. Guys who are big he can get under, use his quickness. That's what we talked about before the game; one of the benefits of having him back is we can do things defensively differently.
He gives us that guy who can kind of guard almost anybody on the court. I actually thought he did a really good job. I thought Alex did a good job on him, too. But that versatility is really key for us, and that's what Bilal brings to the table for our team.
Q. What did you think of the way Bub played? It seems like he's getting a little bit more comfortable within his role and kind of extending the way he's having successes as he's out on the floor but not just facilitating, also finding his own way to have an impact?
BRIAN KEEFE: He's been great. He's been playing well. He's being aggressive, looking to attack, and that's leading to positive things for our team, either for himself or his teammates. When he plays with that type of pace and that type of energy, it really helps us offensively. He's been playing well.
Q. What did you think of the rebounding tonight?
BRIAN KEEFE: We could always be better. That's just something that we're going to keep focusing on. There were times when we were good at it and we were able to get out in transition, but there was a couple of loose ones there in the third quarter that we could have got maybe that would have stemmed the tide for us. But lessons to be learned, and we're looking forward to getting after it tomorrow and taking a look at the film.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports