Detroit: Lawrence Frank | Rodney Stuckey Hawks Larry Drew | Jeff Teague | Marvin WilliamsPistons Head Coach Lawrence Frank
“They started the game on an 11-2 run. When you look at the points off turnovers, they had 30 tonight. (Jeff) Teague had 15 himself. He was a load to handle all night. We fought back and put ourselves in position, but we couldn’t convert when it mattered most. When you look at the game, I don’t want to say we gave them gift baskets, but all those points add up. Easy transition buckets and layups. We have to make the game a little easier by just playing better. We competed well tonight, but their stars made the difference. I thought Rodney (Stuckey) and Will Bynum played well off the bench. Josh (Smith) played well tonight for them, but we can’t give up so many fast break points. That’s what really killed us tonight.”
“We got down, but then got ourselves back in the game. We just couldn’t get over the hump. Jeff Teague did a great job getting into the painted area tonight. They all did a great job getting into the paint all night. We gave ourselves a chance, but we just fell short. We had some defensive breakdowns, but we were still in the game. It doesn’t matter how well I played tonight, because we still fell short. We just have to come back and play hard against Miami on Sunday.”
“(On Teague): Particularly in that first half, he was very aggressive off the dribble. He was really utilizing his speed. I thought at the start of the game, he settled for a couple of three’s early. But then he got aggressive off the dribble. Once he got aggressive off the dribble, it started opening up. We got our transition game going, he got to the basket. I thought he made some nice plays off the dribble. When he’s in that attack mode like that, and he’s aggressive like that, we’re a different club.”
(What did you tell the team when you lost the 4th quarter lead): “Not to panic. Detroit is a team that’s been a thorn in our side in these three meetings. It took a desperation three by Joe to send it into overtime the first time we beat them. Then they beat us the last time. I knew coming into this game it was going to be a really hard-fought game. They have some good players. Their team is much better than their record indicates. They’ve got some guys that are really good off the dribble. They can make shots. They’re physical. They can get up and down the floor. They’re a hard team for us to play against.”
“Detroit has been tough on us all season long, and tonight was no exception. When you get them down, they don’t quit. Their defense got them back in the game, and we had to make some plays in the fourth quarter to pull it out.”
“Teague was outstanding tonight. When he wasn’t scoring, he was so quick putting pressure on the defense and finding guys for easy buckets. When he plays like that, we are that much more dangerous offensively.”
“I was just trying to get to the basket, and force the issue in the paint.”
(On the team having at least 30 assists second straight game): “We’re just playing together. We’re trying to get on a roll, trying to get that playoff intensity going. We’re playing well right now.”
(Was it your best game of the season?): “I don’t know. I don’t really pay attention to all that.”
(On the time off prior to the last two games): “It was big. We got our rest, and guys came back rejuvenated ready to play.”