Postgame Quotes - February 12, 2014

(On the game): “I told our guys our energy was great. Our focus I thought was great. But there’s about three or four key things every game: a loose ball, a rebound, maybe not attacking when we’re in the bonus. There’s a laundry list of four or five things that when something like this happens, you can probably pick one or two of those things and that’s the difference in the ball game. They have an All-Star point guard in Kyrie Irving that can control the game down the stretch. They made a big shot. We contested it. You lead for 46 minutes; you expect to win the game.”

(On All Star break adjustments): “I’m going to look at the whole picture. I’m going to look at certain combinations when we have them in the game, kind of break down our offense. I’m going to sit down and look at what we’re doing defensively. An area we’re going to need to improve on is our transition defense and spells. When we get back and load to the basketball and get all five guys inside the ball we are pretty good. It’s when we either step up the floor or don’t get the ball stop. But there are a lot of areas we’re going to take a look at. That’s what you do during a break.”

(On losing after leading): “We played with a good pace in the beginning of the game and that final stretch in the fourth quarter; I’ve got to be better down the stretch of the fourth quarter.”

(On playing Charlotte next): “We have this game marked on our calendar because we gave that game away last time we played them. I continue to get prepared and we’ll try to beat these guys twice.”

(On game): "It was a good win on the road. It seems like it is becoming a theme for us, but our bench guys just kind of stay ready. The first half I think I threw everybody out there but Sergey (Karasev) and I know our guys were like, ‘what the heck is coach doing? I played two minutes. I did not get in rhythm or I did not do this.’ I know they were thinking that because I was thinking that for them if they were not."

(On Earl Clark): "I found a guy in Earl (Clark) that kind of stepped up and gave us big minutes. Point wise and rebound wise it might not have been huge from him, but he impacted the game tonight."

(On bench): "Our bench was great. Not only were they great in terms of staying ready, but I thought they were really involved and active in the ball game down the stretch."

(On fourth quarter): "We knew if we buckled down, got some consecutive stops, especially in those last three minutes; I mean I think it was tied with around 3:13 left to go and we came into a timeout and we were just talking to one another. We were telling each other we just have to help each other that much more and be in the right spots, and we would get the win.

(On late 3-pointer in fourth quarter): "I just went and got the ball, and the shot went in. Everybody spaced out and my teammates trusted me, and I trusted the shot and it went in."

(On four-game winning streak): "It's good, it feels good. We're going to get a point where guys understand you just have to find a way to win. I think when we get to that point, we'll have more wins like this. Guys are starting to enjoy this and are looking forward to the next game. That's what happens when you win."

(On going into the All-Star break): "I need the break. It's better to calm down a little bit. I think it'll be good for the group and that we're going into a break after winning four games. Coming back, guys should be rested."