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[FONT="]HEAD COACH TERRY STOTTS[/FONT]
[FONT="]“I was really pleased with the focus we came out with at both ends of the court. Defensively, I thought we were really locked in on what we needed to do. It was fun to see the threes go in the first half. I liked the way we shared the ball. We had 17 assists on I think 20 field goals in the first half. We shared the ball really well on offense and it gave us a rhythm on our shots. Defensively, I thought we were solid all night and kept them away from the rim. Obviously, they’re undermanned, they didn’t have their guys but still it was a win we needed to get.”[/FONT]
[FONT="]On Freeland’s contributions: [/FONT]
[FONT="]“Joel had just been solid. He does what he does well. He plays very hard. He plays his minutes hard. He goes after balls. He gives a great effort defensively. He had what 17 rebounds the other night? He just is very conscientious about how hard he plays his minutes.”[/FONT]
[FONT="]On Batum finding rhythm offensively:[/FONT]
[FONT="]“It was good to see him make threes. Obviously, everybody’s been talking about his shot and I think it was good for him and us to see the ball go in like that in one game. I think that bodes well for us going down the line.”[/FONT]
[FONT="]Is it easier to let Aldridge get healthy when getting contributions from players and winning games:[/FONT]
[FONT="]“I just want LA to get healthy. I’m glad we’re getting wins and people are getting a chance to contribute but I want LA to get healthy. We need him. We’ve got some tough games coming up, but we’re not going to force it until he’s ready to go. Getting him healthy is the thing that’s paramount.”[/FONT]
[FONT="]On Claver’s play and rotation/backup 4 position minutes:[/FONT]
[FONT="]“It’s a tough situation for him and Thomas. Look, when LA is healthy, LA is going to play 36 minutes. That’s 12 minutes of backup 4. Joel has been playing a lot of his minutes at center because RoLo has been out. When we get healthy, it’s a tough situation for guys on the bench to get in the game. That being said, I think he’s shown that he can play, just as Thomas has, just has Joel has. Dorell has played very well. Dorell was playing 4 in San Antonio, in Oklahoma City, and again tonight. So he’s played well at 4. So it’s everybody’s job to just do their best when they get an opportunity and we’ll go from there.”[/FONT]
[FONT="]WESLEY MATTHEWS[/FONT]
[FONT="]On three point shooting, rhythm:[/FONT]
[FONT="]“It’s contagious. It was just a good vibe from the jump. I think I missed the first one, but Nic hit one, Dame hit one and I think the flood gates really opened.”[/FONT]
[FONT="]What’s been working lately?[/FONT]
[FONT="]“Defending. We’re top five in the league as far as defense and that’s our calling card. We know we can get it going offensively. Earlier in the season when we didn’t have it going offensively, we could rely on our defense. We’re playing with an edge and a hunger.”[/FONT]
[FONT="]Did you try to do more offensively with Aldridge out?[/FONT]
[FONT="]“No, just playing basketball and teammates are finding me and I’m letting it go.”[/FONT]
[FONT="]On ball movement and getting good looks:[/FONT]
[FONT="]“That’s our thing. That’s our game. We’ve had a great long streak of 20 plus assists. That’s the kind of team we are, the ball is moving, flying around, and we’re getting rhythm shots. For the most part, I think I probably took the worst ones, but they were all good looks and I think coach would be happy with all of them or most of them.”[/FONT]
[FONT="]“I was really pleased with the focus we came out with at both ends of the court. Defensively, I thought we were really locked in on what we needed to do. It was fun to see the threes go in the first half. I liked the way we shared the ball. We had 17 assists on I think 20 field goals in the first half. We shared the ball really well on offense and it gave us a rhythm on our shots. Defensively, I thought we were solid all night and kept them away from the rim. Obviously, they’re undermanned, they didn’t have their guys but still it was a win we needed to get.”[/FONT]
[FONT="]On Freeland’s contributions: [/FONT]
[FONT="]“Joel had just been solid. He does what he does well. He plays very hard. He plays his minutes hard. He goes after balls. He gives a great effort defensively. He had what 17 rebounds the other night? He just is very conscientious about how hard he plays his minutes.”[/FONT]
[FONT="]On Batum finding rhythm offensively:[/FONT]
[FONT="]“It was good to see him make threes. Obviously, everybody’s been talking about his shot and I think it was good for him and us to see the ball go in like that in one game. I think that bodes well for us going down the line.”[/FONT]
[FONT="]Is it easier to let Aldridge get healthy when getting contributions from players and winning games:[/FONT]
[FONT="]“I just want LA to get healthy. I’m glad we’re getting wins and people are getting a chance to contribute but I want LA to get healthy. We need him. We’ve got some tough games coming up, but we’re not going to force it until he’s ready to go. Getting him healthy is the thing that’s paramount.”[/FONT]
[FONT="]On Claver’s play and rotation/backup 4 position minutes:[/FONT]
[FONT="]“It’s a tough situation for him and Thomas. Look, when LA is healthy, LA is going to play 36 minutes. That’s 12 minutes of backup 4. Joel has been playing a lot of his minutes at center because RoLo has been out. When we get healthy, it’s a tough situation for guys on the bench to get in the game. That being said, I think he’s shown that he can play, just as Thomas has, just has Joel has. Dorell has played very well. Dorell was playing 4 in San Antonio, in Oklahoma City, and again tonight. So he’s played well at 4. So it’s everybody’s job to just do their best when they get an opportunity and we’ll go from there.”[/FONT]
[FONT="]WESLEY MATTHEWS[/FONT]
[FONT="]On three point shooting, rhythm:[/FONT]
[FONT="]“It’s contagious. It was just a good vibe from the jump. I think I missed the first one, but Nic hit one, Dame hit one and I think the flood gates really opened.”[/FONT]
[FONT="]What’s been working lately?[/FONT]
[FONT="]“Defending. We’re top five in the league as far as defense and that’s our calling card. We know we can get it going offensively. Earlier in the season when we didn’t have it going offensively, we could rely on our defense. We’re playing with an edge and a hunger.”[/FONT]
[FONT="]Did you try to do more offensively with Aldridge out?[/FONT]
[FONT="]“No, just playing basketball and teammates are finding me and I’m letting it go.”[/FONT]
[FONT="]On ball movement and getting good looks:[/FONT]
[FONT="]“That’s our thing. That’s our game. We’ve had a great long streak of 20 plus assists. That’s the kind of team we are, the ball is moving, flying around, and we’re getting rhythm shots. For the most part, I think I probably took the worst ones, but they were all good looks and I think coach would be happy with all of them or most of them.”[/FONT]
