Willie Green recaps win over Milwaukee Bucks | Pelicans vs. Bucks Postgame 3/28/24
Pelicans Head Coach Willie Green
On winning despite only making eight threes, and what it says about the team:
“We’re super grateful, and [I’m] really just thanking God for this victory and this opportunity to coach this team. That was a gutsy win on our home floor. Like you said, it was a good defensive performance by us. We played with force, from start to finish. Even when we couldn’t hit shots, we still continued to make winning plays.”
On the team’s execution in the final three minutes:
“It was better. It was better tonight than it was [against] OKC. And that’s the goal for us, to continue to recognize that this is an area of improvement. We try to be honest with each other watching the tape, getting on the floor and continuing to work at it.
Tonight was a great carryover.”
On the performance of Jonas Valančiūnas and Larry Nance Jr.:
“They were great. Both JV (Jonas Valančiūnas) and Larry (Nance Jr.), they were awesome tonight. We knew with this team, you have to go attack them. You can’t sit back. You can’t allow them to get downhill on you, post you up. You have to go attack them from the start. We’re all proud of our guys because they took the game plan and they executed it tonight.”
Pelicans Guard CJ McCollum
On the key to tonight's win:
“[We were] aggressive from the start, defensively we were aggressive. We rebounded the ball. We ran, we pushed tempo, we shared the ball. Down the stretch we got enough stops and defensive rebounds to secure the win.”
On struggling to score in the second half:
“It was a combination of their good defense and us missing shots. We had great looks. I missed a couple layups, floaters, and open threes that I got to make. But I think collectively we did enough to hold a lead and get a win at home in front of our fans.”
On Zion Williamson’s performance:
“I thought he was great. I would like to see him shoot more free throws with the way he attacks the basket. I like the way he played, he’s aggressive, he got to the free throw line, made the right plays and finished at the rim.”
Pelicans Forward/Center Larry Nance Jr.
On performing well in the fourth quarter:
“For us, it is executing. The NBA is executing, is getting the best player in position to succeed. Zion (Williamson) getting downhill is in the best position to succeed, so anytime we can off the dribble and off the move is bonus points for us.”
On their remaining strength of schedule:
“These games matter. These games count. Not to take away anything from the teams previously in the season. The race to 50 is on there. We want to get the wins, but you have to go through some really good teams to get there, and you have to go through some really good teams to solidify our spot in the playoffs.”
