Detroit: Maurice Cheeks | Josh Smith
Indiana: Frank Vogel | Paul George | Roy Hibbert
(On finding more shooting): “There are nights when they go in, there are nights when they don’t go in. That’s why you try to build yourself on the defensive end so you can stay pretty consistent on the defensive end. But tonight they made shots and we had some wide open shots that we didn’t make. Gigi (Datome) had some wide open shots that he didn’t make, I’m sure later on he will make. Brandon (Jennings) had some wide open shots, several guys had some. That’s why you try to build yourself on the defensive end because those shots aren’t going to go in every night.”
(On the defensive effort tonight): “I wouldn’t say (I’m) pleased. You’re never pleased if you lose the game, number one, and number two, I thought they were aggressive. They got to the penalty. We didn’t get to the penalty. I think those are huge differences in the game. They make shots to get to the penalty and make a few foul shots here and there. It paid dividends for them.”
(On the loss) “They made more plays than us. We matched the physicality in spurts. In order to be a good team that’s established already; you have to be able to play physical for a full 48 minutes and no one was able to do that.”
(On where they need improvement) “It’s a good lesson learned; for us, to be able to see where we need to get to. This is a team that’s been together for quite some time, some of the Pacers, and as long as we just keep striving and keep playing together and find what we like to do on the court then we will be okay.”
(On defense) “It happens, it happens. Basketball is a game of imperfection. Offense comes and goes but we should buckle down a little bit more on defense and try to limit them to one shot and we weren’t able to do that tonight.”
(On Pistons): "Real quality win against a really good basketball team. A team that I think will make the playoffs this year. They have monster size and great guards."
(On Paul George): "I am very proud of the effort. Paul George did everything I asked him to do and everything you can possibly ask a player to do tonight. (He) played the point and guarded point guards. He guarded elite small forwards or Josh Smith, who is really a power forward, and guarded him all night."
(On Josh Smith): "We have to contain him. He is a great basketball player and someone that you have to be accountable for at all times. He can make threes so you have to honor that too.
(On battling back after being down in first half): “That's how the NBA is; you can get up big and then the other team can come back and win the game. It just takes maturity and determination to grind down and get a win.”
(On game): “We moved the ball really well…and we blocked shots. We rebounded and on most nights, that's the key to getting a win. We were able to get stops on defense and that transitioned into us getting easy shots on offense. Overall, a big win for us.”
(On defensive play): “We all take pride in our defense. We're all long and athletic and that can really spark us getting out on the break. This is fun, we like playing defense.”
(On offensive play): “When we're not really communicating, our offense suffers. Tonight, we found the open man and we made our shots. I thought we all played really well. No one was selfish tonight.”