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Postgame Quotes - January 31, 2015

DETROIT PISTONS HEAD COACH STAN VAN GUNDY: (On the win): “The energy at the start of the game was tremendous. I thought our defense was good. I loved the energy at the start of the game. I loved the way we responded late when they cut the lead. We had problem where we couldn’t make any shots and we slowed down a little bit. We were struggling, but I really liked the way we responded.”

 

(On fan energy): “I thought our crowd was tremendous. Especially when it got close at the end and we had to call the timeout late. I thought our crowd responded and it helped. I noticed them tonight.”

 

(On D.J. Augustin): “He (Augustin) was tremendous. He was on the attack right from the start of the game and that’s big for us. When we were playing well Brandon (Jennings) and D.J. both were on the attack. We’re better when we’re pushing and on the attack. He did it all night tonight.”

 

DETROIT PISTONS GUARD D.J. AUGUSTIN:   (On importance of snapping four-game losing streak): “It was tough.  We needed this win; it was a big win against a good team.  It just builds our confidence and lets us know if we stick together and stay with it, we can beat any team in the league.”

 

(On his play tonight vs. Rockets): “I was just trying to be aggressive.  Attack, try to create for my teammates and myself.  Everybody kept moving and spaced the floor and allowed me to do so.”

 

DETROIT PISTONS GUARD KENTAVIOUS CALDWELL-POPE:  (On his game tonight vs. Rockets): “I felt good.  I got myself going with my energy on the defensive end, ran the floor to get easy baskets and that opened up my outside shooting.”

 

(On guarding James Harden): “It just makes me slow down.  I know I’m working hard on the defensive end and that’s taking my energy.  On the offensive end it makes me slow down and pace yourself because you know you have to go back on the defensive end and give the same energy you’ve been giving.”

 

HOUSTON ROCKETS HEAD COACH KEVIN MCHALE:  (Thoughts on tonight's game versus Pistons): "We did not do a good job defensively. They came out and just kicked our tail. We couldn't handle Augustine. They just played a lot harder than we did. We couldn't stop Augustine so we thought we would try something else - try to keep someone in front of him possibly or try to get someone that would get him off his rhythm."

 

HOUSTON ROCKETS GUARD JAMES HARDEN: (On how knee is feeling): "I went up to the rim; knee on knee, right on the bone. I couldn't feel my leg. My leg was numb for a minute. I was just hoping it wasn't as bad as it felt. I came back here and just took some time. The doctor said it's going to be painful for a short amount of time, but you should be alright. So I just took a couple of deep breaths, relaxed and got back out there on the court."

 

(On Houston's defense): "Terrible defense; terrible. In the fourth quarter, we played the way we needed to play to win games. The first three quarters was, you know, terrible."