Wizards 112, Pacers 105
Q. What did you like about the way that you guys were able -- especially in the second half, they came out, obviously adjustments were going to be made, but you guys were able to withstand that. What did you like about the response after the run that they made?
BRIAN KEEFE: I think the thing I really liked tonight was the team win. I really liked what Kadary, Alondes brought us, and we're learning about Jaden. We know Jaden can really score. We saw his ability to do that. But both those guys coming with us up from assignment from our G-League team, I was really happy with how they played tonight, but it was contributions up and down the roster.
Q. From a defensive standpoint, correct me if I'm wrong, this is one of your higher turnover rates. Able to convert that into 30 points, as well, off of those turnovers. What was it defensively that was allowing you guys to be as active as you were but also convert on the other end?
BRIAN KEEFE: Yeah, I think that's something we've been preaching and talking about for a long time. We've been, I believe, top 5 for a good stretch here in disruptions and stuff. You're seeing that convert into games now, and I know coming off the break, I thought we did a good job of focusing on our details defensively, and we were able to turn it over and get some easy baskets on that.
Q. In what ways has Bilal progressed as a play maker over the three years you've been around him?
BRIAN KEEFE: Yeah, we continue to put the ball in his hands. You saw, I think, he had a left-handed pass that was a great look down the middle. He has the ability to see over the defense with his size, and the big key is he can get into the paint, and that's something that we really like about him. His ability to attack, that draws crowds, and his ability to make plays out of that. Saw him a little bit in the post tonight, getting into the paint, drawing some fouls. I liked that, too.
But he has that vision. His ball handling keeps improving, and we're going to keep putting the ball in his hands to see him grow with that.
Q. The left-handed cut, was that the cut to Cooper, to Sharife --
BRIAN KEEFE: Yeah, I believe it was to Sharife, yeah.
Q. What was your rationale for sitting Tre and Kyshawn in the fourth?
BRIAN KEEFE: Tre is on a minutes restriction, and Kyshawn, I think it was in the second quarter, he had a lower foot problem. Just didn't want to -- we've got multiple games coming back here. I didn't want to put him out there for too long. It started bothering him a little bit in the third quarter. Just wanted to be careful with him.
Q. You stuck with that second unit for quite a while and then inserting Bub. Anthony Gill, how did you feel about his play, him getting the 30 minutes today and executing?
BRIAN KEEFE: Tristan is coming back off, so Tristan is also on a restriction, too, so that's part of it. But Anthony Gill is ready for all of it. Whatever is asked for needed, you guys know that about him. He just produces and follows the game plan and can execute things on a high level, and he makes big plays by his consistency. Loved the three he made tonight. That kind of sealed it off.
He just does the right thing. That's what I love about him is that whenever he's called upon, he's ready. That's not an easy thing to do in this league. He's done that since the time I've been coaching here.
Q. I have to ask the Anthony Davis question. Having him on the bench today, did you notice anything?
BRIAN KEEFE: Yeah, just nice to have him there. You can feel his presence, talking to guys. Obviously he's got great knowledge to share. Obviously we're thrilled to have him here.
Q. Jaden Hardy is getting really acclimated with you guys already in the two games he's been here. What can you say about his play overall?
BRIAN KEEFE: Can score. You can just see that. Has an ability to create his own shot, good catch-and-shoot three-point shooter, knows how to get in the paint and create. He's got a knack for that. We didn't teach him that.
He's only been here a couple days, so you can see what -- we're just learning his game, and that's part of it. But I liked his aggressiveness and his shot-making ability tonight.
Q. You mentioned tonight being a team win. You play Indiana again tomorrow. What do you want to see carry forward from this game, and what do you think will be key to trying to get another victory because it's difficult when you have a back to back.
BRIAN KEEFE: It can be, yeah. Just sticking to what we learned from tonight. We won with our defense. We didn't shoot the ball great in the first half. I don't think either team did, but our defense was pretty consistent throughout the game, and then we started making some shots there.
That's always going to be the recipe for us is our defense first, and we'll continue with that tomorrow.
Q. You talked about your defense. DNPs went to Justin Champagnie and Jamir Watkins. How did you get it done without those two guys, and why did those two guys get the DNPs?
BRIAN KEEFE: Like I said, we're playing three in four. We have an early game on Sunday, too, and also we wanted to get a look at Kadary and Alondes and see what they bring, too. Those guys will be back in the mix.
Q. Wanted to ask about Tristan, as well, six stops today, five steals. What are you most interested in working with him on and closing the season out strong?
BRIAN KEEFE: Continue to do what he's been doing, growing. We can see his offensive skill set, his ability to pass, his ability to make the short roll when we know about the shooting. I think his defense is getting better. You can see that with his activity with his hands.
Obviously he was five steals tonight and the block. But those are the things that he's been getting better at this year and just continuing to do that and be consistent with that. That's what we're looking for. Him and really the rest of the team, the rest of the year.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports