Pelicans Head Coach Alvin Gentry:
On tonight’s performance:
“I thought we started the game the right way and I thought we played with energy. We had the ball movement that I thought we needed in the first half. We ended up with fifteen assists in the first half so when that happens, we’re a pretty good team. I thought we sustained most of the game. They’re so explosive. Offensively, sometimes, it’s really tough to kind of keep them under wraps. I thought, for the most part, we did a good job against their bench. I’m not really sure how you go at Lou Williams. Really, the guy’s a professional scorer. He really is. He can get to the line and do some things. I thought we did a good job, about as a good of a job as you can do on him, but you know, he still gets to the line and makes baskets, but, for the most part, I thought we did a much better job this time around on their bench than we did last time and just in general, I think we scored thirty-four more points against us last time than they did this time so the defense was good and I thought we just did a good job.”
On Jrue Holiday starting:
“He got us off to a good start. I just think that having him out there, defensively also. Thought he did a good job on Swaggy (Nick Young) even before he went down early with an injury. We didn’t let him get out of the box because he’s one of those guys that once he gets out, he’ll score. I just thought having him out there, it’s just a calming effect and obviously having him out there with AD (Anthony Davis) and that combination is really good for us.”
Pelicans Guard Buddy Hield:
On what changed from the last game:
“Anthony Davis had a good night. We moved the ball and played well and it was a team effort. Everybody is having fun and AD is making plays. Just watching him make moves is incredible.”
On his personal development:
“Everybody on my team is just telling me to stay focused and stay positive. Everybody’s been through it so I’m just enjoying the process.”
Pelicans Forward Terrence Jones:
On what has been the difference at home versus away:
“The defensive performances the last few games at home have been very, very good. To a team that beat us last time, to hold them to like 35 points less than the last time we seen them, just to lock in and make sure everybody stays mentally focused on getting stops like we did tonight is always going to make the game easier.”
On if there is a noticeable difference on how the team is coming together:
“Yea definitely. I mean we’re definitely more balanced. We got Jrue back, he’s penetrating and creating for his self and others and it’s just making an entirely different team offensively and as well on the defensive side from the guard’s it’s applying a lot of pressure and making it tough for those guys to get into their offense.”