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Game Quotes: Cavaliers vs. New Orleans Pelicans - Dec.12

On the outcome:
“The Pelicans played extremely well offensively and we didn’t get any stops, defensively.”

On slow start for Kyrie Irving:
“You’ve got to tip your hat off to Kyrie (Irving).  Tough, tough game last night, got injured and fought through it.  We didn’t know if he was going to play today until game time, but still, it showed the heart and the character to get out there and play as hard as he could.  It took him a little longer to get loose.  Shots didn’t fall and he didn’t get that many early, so maybe that was the reason for that.”

On defensive play:
“We really didn’t do, on an individual level, an acceptable job of defending anyone.  We did not control the ball.  We did not close out well on the three point line.  We didn’t defend drivers.  We didn’t have any (aggressiveness) or physicality to speak of and their output was the result.”    

On his health:
“Yeah I felt great out there tonight.  My knee feels good.  It was good to be back out there tonight, but I hate that we couldn’t pull it out at the end.”

On tonight’s performance:
“Yeah we played good for the first half.  The second half was a different story though.  They made a big run in the end of the third that really took the wind out of us.  They had bench guys come out and play some big roles with (Anthony) Davis out.  We have to play better, and it will be nice to have a few days off and go back home.”

On tonight’s loss:
“Yeah we’re just coming off a back to back so yeah it’s tough.  We definitely need to play better and there’s no excuse for our performance tonight.  They had a bunch of their guys step up when (Anthony) Davis went out, and gave them good minutes that helped them to this victory.”

On LeBron James’ performance:
“Yeah it definitely helps to have him out there and he’s a great player.  He’s capable of putting up big numbers every night, but he knows the team is the most important thing.”

On the win:
“It was a big win for us. As I’ve said many times, any win in the NBA is hard to come by. To beat a team like that without Anthony Davis and have so many contributions across the board is a special win for us. I’m just proud of the grit that we showed. Our fourth quarter defense wasn’t that great, but third quarter defense was really good and that kinda saved us tonight. We knew they were going to make a run and they made it in the fourth quarter. Across the board everybody who stepped on the floor tonight gave us something and that is what it has got to be about with our team.”

On team playing differently without Anthony Davis:
“It changes a lot. He (Anthony Davis) is a shot blocker and our best player. When any team around the league losses their best player other guys have to step up. We’ve been a no excuses, no explanation team and we are going to fight with the guys we have and try to get wins.”

On the key to the win:
“Just try to make it a team effort. We knew that he was going to be aggressive after sitting out last night. He started off aggressive. (He was) making tough shots. He was making good shots. We just wanted to stop him as a team.”

On his high play this year:
“I just try to stay focused. We have been up and down, winning one game and losing two (at times). We’ve just got to get on the right track and try to put on a good streak. The West is hard. We’ve got to stay focused and keep playing hard.”

On multiple players stepping up after Anthony Davis went out:
“It’s all about having fun. Tonight, it looked like we were having fun. Everybody was moving the ball, getting good shots, (and) playing together. When we play like that, we are unstoppable.”

On the team being able to win without Anthony Davis tonight:
“I think that we have more than enough (talent) to win. If someone goes down, the next guy needs to step up…I hope that he will be fine soon. If not, the guys need to step up and play good.”

On if the team was energized by the crowd:
“Yes, of course. When they come, we always play better. If they support us, (we play better). We want every game to be like this.”