Oklahoma City Thunder 120, Indiana Pacers 109.
Q. Cason, you had a stretch in the first quarter where you get a bunch of takeaways, then you have an even better one in the fourth quarter. What is it that makes the defensive momentum happen?
CASON WALLACE: Us being competitive and trying to stack stops on defense. That's something that we preach every day, every game. Stack good possessions. Once we see one, the next person, want to get one. It just trickles down to the next guy.
Q. How much have you allowed yourselves to think about winning a title? What steps have you taken to avoid getting too focused on the outcome here?
AARON WIGGINS: Not too much thought into it yet. Obviously, we know the position we're in. You can't take it for granted. We have the right approach of making sure we take care of business and get done what we have to first.
But like I said, obviously we know the position we're in. Can't think about it. Got to take it one possession at a time, one game at a time, finish businesslike that.
Q. Cason, I watched you yesterday really working on your three-point game. What does it feel like, putting in all that work and have it show up at game like this?
CASON WALLACE: Yeah, just staying confident, knowing that they're going to fall eventually. I was in a shooting slump. So, getting that first three to go in really was good for me.
I put the work in every day, so I knew it was a matter of time.
Q. Aaron, you had the big game a couple games ago. What is it like in a game like this where you know you need something from the bench that you're able to come through in a moment like this?
AARON WIGGINS: I mean, our guys did such a good job getting everybody involved. I was able to get a couple looks going out there still with the mindset of being aggressive, still within our team's offense.
Shots fell. Guys kept finding here. Obviously the same with Cason. That's huge for us. When we can get looks, I think it kind of just allows for our team to kind of settle in and get comfortable.
Just did a good job sharing the ball and getting good looks.
Q. Mark just mentioned he doesn't look at it in terms of first guy, second guy. He's focused on everybody on the team growing and developing. How much does that breed confidence into everyone?
AARON WIGGINS: I think it's been good. It allows everybody to kind of have that certain sense of trust from him and our coaching staff. He allows guys to kind of go out there, play free. If you get going, it opens the game up for you as an individual and for our team.
His trust and his confidence in the guys is huge for us.
Q. Cason, you mentioned being in a slump and getting out of that. Can you elaborate on how you get yourself out of that slump and maintain your confidence?
CASON WALLACE: Just knowing it happens in basketball. You can't make every shot. You got to miss some.
So just my teammates having confidence in me, knowing that I put the work in every day, good things are going to happen eventually.
Q. Seeing the brotherhood you've had all season long, how would you describe what it's like going into battle every night?
AARON WIGGINS: Yeah, I mean, it's awesome. Just a fun experience every night. Being able to compete from day one in training camp against each other, to going out on the court and being able to play other teams, is just a fun experience.
1 through 18, every single guy enjoys being a part of this group. Nothing guys take for granted.
Q. Aaron, pretty early when you come in, it seemed like you're trying to get up threes in transition early in the clock. Are you extra conscious of that, especially after a game where you didn’t make many as a team?
AARON WIGGINS: It's more flow of the game, just kind of natural feel and looks. Playing this transition, you can get open looks if you're moving and getting in the right spots, the ball's moving.
But nothing that I'm thinking about when I'm out there of the just kind of going out there, being aggressive to find shots. But I'm letting it come to me, just playing within the flow of the game.
Q. Cason, they cut it to two midway through the fourth. You have the massive offensive rebound that leads to a three for Dub, then the pick-six steal. What's happening for you all as a team and individually in that moment?
CASON WALLACE: Just make a play. We need an energy play. Somebody got to make it. However that comes...
Mine was an offensive rebound, the game gave me a steal. Just playing the game and whatever instincts or whatever happens just happens. Just go make a play.
Q. Aaron, seemed like during the fourth quarter Shai made a couple plays down the stretch to calm you guys down. When he comes in when the Pacers come back, cut the lead down, what does his presence do?
AARON WIGGINS: I mean, that's what he's done all season for us. He's been an elite closer. He's a guy that just kind of continues to put our team in positions to go out there and win games. When we can kind of execute offensively, whether it's him or Dub, when those guys are able to kind of just get to their spots, we're able to execute, it obviously just kind of slows the other team down and gets us in a much more comfortable position to close games out.
He's been huge all year with that. We continue to just trust him at any point in the game.
Q. Cason, you started the series starting, now you're coming off the bench. Today you have a very good offensive game to go along with the defensive stuff. Talk about your trust in Mark and belief in the process.
CASON WALLACE: Yeah, I mean, he's going to put us in the best position to win games. I can't be selfish. If it's a better look or option for us, let's go with that. My job is to go out there and play as hard always I can every time I'm on the court. Cheer on my teammates. I'm going to just keep doing that.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports