Pelicans head coach Willie Green comments on his team defeating the Memphis Grizzlies.
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00:00 We will take it, we'll take it, we'll take it.
00:02 [BLANK_AUDIO]
00:07 >> Coach, overall, when you look at the game, it is your third and
00:10 fourth in four nights.
00:11 Fatigue had to be a factor, a bit of a slow start.
00:14 Can you just talk a little bit about the matchup and the contest there?
00:18 >> No, you're right, it's that time of season, a couple games before the break.
00:23 Every team is a bit fatigued, but first credit to them.
00:29 They're a scrappy team, they're well coached, they're disciplined,
00:33 they go out to play hard.
00:35 And they fought for 48 minutes.
00:38 And credit to our guys in the locker room, we didn't start well,
00:43 then we got it going, came out the third quarter, we're playing well, and
00:46 then the wheels fell off.
00:48 But we found a way at the end to win the game, and
00:50 that's the important part for us.
00:52 >> What did you see as the way to win in the fourth?
00:55 What allowed you in those final minutes to close it out?
00:57 >> Well, we have to get stops, which we did.
01:02 They had a couple open threes that they missed, but we got stops,
01:05 we rebounded the ball.
01:06 We have to take care of the ball, we have to be better down the stretch,
01:09 not turn the ball over.
01:11 I don't know how many fourth quarter turnovers we had, but
01:13 that's an area of growth for us.
01:15 And then B.I. hit some big shots to close the game out.
01:19 >> He's one point away from 9,000 in his career.
01:21 That's a significant milestone for any player.
01:24 >> It is, it is.
01:25 It's definitely a significant milestone for B.I.
01:31 I'm sure he'll get that next game, but it shows his ability to score, and
01:36 hopefully he can continue to do that for us.
01:38 >> How much did Herb mean to you in his three point shooting?
01:40 It sure seems like when he has a good night, this team has a good night.
01:44 >> Herb's been shooting the ball well lately, and
01:46 he's getting more and more confident in his shot.
01:49 He shot fake and drive into the basket.
01:51 I love the fact that he had nine rebounds.
01:53 That was huge for us.
01:54 So when he's rebounding the ball, we know he's gonna defend and
01:57 he's making shots.
01:59 We're a tough matchup.
02:00 >> I wish they hadn't taken that one away from him so he can win a double.
02:03 We talked about your bench in pregame, and boy, they sure did seem to flip the game
02:07 again for you when they came in in that second quarter.
02:09 >> They were awesome.
02:10 The moment those guys got in the game, Jose, Najee, Trey, and Larry,
02:14 the game turned.
02:15 They played with energy, toughness, speed, force, and it was fun to watch.
02:20 And we have to get off to better starts, but those guys are huge for us.
02:25 >> There were times that y'all did not shoot well.
02:31 I mean, you're looking at Brandon.
02:32 Brandon was 7-15, but CJ's 4-15.
02:36 Zion had a tough night.
02:37 Is that because of their defense?
02:39 Is that because of their physicality?
02:41 Or is it the length of time that y'all had to play this week?
02:45 >> I think it's a combination of all of the above.
02:47 I think you can't discredit another team.
02:51 They go out and play hard, play scrappy.
02:53 It's the last game of a four-game trip for us, a game before the All-Star break.
02:58 A couple games before the All-Star break, rather.
03:02 So it's just that time of year where you have to find ways to win,
03:05 no matter who the opponent is.
03:08 And I give our guys a lot of credit in the locker room.
03:11 That's what they did tonight.
03:12 Thank you.
03:15 [BLANK_AUDIO]