The Spurs beat the Jazz 126 to 122 on Monday night. Devon Vassell led the Spurs with 24 points. Keldon Johnson added 21 and Malaki Branham had 20 to lead the Spurs to the victory.
Post Game Reaction:
Spurs Head Coach Gregg Popovich
(On what guys will take away from this game…)
“I want them to enjoy the win more than anything. They competed well. They deserved it. They played well. Our big guys were great at the rim, blocked shots, rebounds, scoring and we had a lot of people contribute around that. But I think overall they were pretty consistent defensively through the four quarters. We didn't play two quarters or two and a half or something like that. I thought they were much more focused for more of the game at that end of the court. Their pace was really good in the first half. Utah, Will does a great job with them. They got guys that can shoot it, and you knew they were going to hang in there. So, it ended up being a good win for us.”
(On Malaki Branham...)
“He’s like an old school player. He's just solid. He's not affected by the lights or the NBA or any of that kind of stuff. He just comes and plays basketball. Does a really good job.”
(On Devin Vassell…)
“Well, his whole game has improved every year. He’s obviously confident with his shots. He’s moving better to get open. He’s finding other people on the court, because he knows he's drawing attention and he’s finding those guys. He’s working on his defense. It’s all positive.”
(On what Stanley Johnson brings to the table defensively…)
“He’s a tough young man. He uses his strength, his body to get on people. He sets a really good example in that regard for the rest of our guys. He’s a pro. He’s been doing this. He’s been in good organizations, and he understands everything we're trying to do pretty quickly.”
Spurs Guard/Forward Keldon Johnson
(On the game overall…)
“We stayed together. We continue to have each other’s back through thick and thin in the game. Like you said, we persevered and came out on top. I feel like they’re a good team and good teams make runs. We stood their run, and we won the game.”
(On how long it takes for a vet to trust a rookie…)
“Obviously, it takes a little bit because we’re not used to playing with them, but we have some good rookies. They’re willing to learn, and they ask a lot of questions. They continue to get better and better. Between Blake [Wesley], Malaki [Branham], and Jeremy [Sochan], it’s definitely a blessing to have rookies like that because I feel like they came in attentive and ready to go. Definitely unsure at first, but it was quick to gain their trust because they play hard, they compete, and they want to learn and win.”
Spurs Guard Malaki Branham
(On mashing up against Colin Sexton and Mike Conley and what those moments feel like…)
“Those moments are good. You have to live up to the big moments, especially being in the game in the fourth quarter when they’re coming back. [Coach Gregg Popovich] has a lot of trust in me and I appreciate that, putting the rookie in. I know he’s not used to doing that, but it’s great to just be in those moments and just try to live up to them.”
(On the difference in his 3-point shot from now compared to a couple of weeks ago…)
“I feel like it’s just me getting the ball up higher, more arc. I have somewhat of a flat shot, but just getting the ball higher. It’s been pretty good. That’s what I’ve been working on these past couple of weeks.”