Pelicans Coach Monty Williams
On the win
“Well we won the game and that’s what I told our guys. We are in the locker room sitting here with a win against a team that is fighting for a win. We are just as desperate and we showed that tonight. Different guys stepped up again and our defense was a lot better in the first than the second for sure, but it was good enough to win the game.”
On Tyreke Evans’ career record in assists and working with Anthony Morrow
“Tyreke is doing a good job of finding guys at the basket or Morrow at the wing. He is so big that he can see over the other guards and that gives him the ability to find guys and he is always a threat to score at the basket so that helps.”
Pelicans Guard Anthony Morrow
On getting more playing time
“I understand that when the moment comes and the opportunity presents itself, I have to be ready. Just like when I wasn’t playing, I did the same workouts, kept the same mentality and showed the same leadership on and off the court. So, I’m going to help the team no matter what.”
On the win
“That’s what it’s been all season: defense translates into offense on the other end.”
On the play of Tyreke Evans
“He had fifteen assists. That’s a career high for him and he did a great job with that role change. But that’s what great players do; they step it up. He does a lot of things for us on both ends of the floor, and he’s been great for us.”
Pelicans Guard Tyreke Evans
On the win
“That’s our team. We go in every day and work hard. We follow the plays we are supposed to follow and we are winning our games. We just tried to execute. We knew what they wanted to do going inside to (Derrick) Favors. He’s a great player that can score points, but we made a couple of adjustments to get some stops. A-Mo (Anthony Morrow) hit a big three and I got to the line and the rim a little bit. That got us going. We talked about dominating the fast break. We did a good job of getting our hands on balls.”
On the difference between playing forward and guard
“It’s basically the ball is in my hand a little more. I have to watch my turnovers, but other than that, I’m always trying to attack the defense and look for my guys who can knock down the shots. I’m a basketball player, so whatever coach wants me to do, I’m going to try to do my best. I love playing with A-Mo (Anthony Morrow). He and I have the same attitude and we don’t back down from anyone. We challenge ourselves on the court and work hard every day.”