Bane and Carter Jr. reveal how their collective defense and mindset are crucial for conquering Philadelphia and advancing.
Desmond Bane:
On the main challenges against this Philadelphia team:
"I mean, I think they got a lot of guys that can score, do a lot of things on the offensive end. It starts with Tyrese Maxey, of course. Paul George back playing. BJ Edgecombe. They got a lot of firepower on that end. Bona and Drummond are monsters on the offensive glass. So we got to take care of business."
On how much of a collective effort it is to slow down Tyrese Maxey:
"Yeah, I mean, it's one-on-five. We know he's a great scorer, super aggressive player. So it's just going to take the whole squad."
On whether the postseason feels like an entirely new season and the challenge of turning the page:
"I don't think it's a challenge at all. I mean, I think it feels that way. It's winter, go home. Everything that happened before is irrelevant. We're in the position we're in and it's a blessing to be playing postseason basketball."
On how much experience in high-intensity games matters for having the right mindset in a do-or-die game:
"Experience definitely bodes well. This team's been in this position before. Been a lot of close games throughout this season. We know what it's going to be. It's going to be tough. There's going to be adverse situations. So exciting challenge."
On how a lighter minutes load makes him feel coming into tonight's game:
"I feel great. I'm in a good spot physically, mentally. Excited to go play some basketball."
On how big of an accomplishment it was to play all 82 games this year:
"It's something that I'm extremely proud of. I put a lot of work in the offseason to get better, but also to be available. To be able to suit up for all 82 was super meaningful."
Wendell Carter Jr. :
On the main challenges against this Philadelphia team:
"Knowing personnel, I think that's the number one thing — keeping them off the offensive glass. When those guys shoot, guys like PG and Tyrese — and taking care of the ball."
On how much of a collective effort it is to slow down Tyrese Maxey:
"It takes all five. He's one of the best in the league in terms of getting to his spots very fast, can shoot the ball really well. So it's going to be a collective effort tonight for sure."
On how much postseason experience (play-in last year, two playoff series) helps in these high-pressure, do-or-die games:
"It definitely helps. But then again, every team is different. Every series is different. We're looking at tonight as a whole new season. But yeah, definitely been a part of this a little bit, seen it, know what it feels like. Know what it feels like when the other team goes on a run. So it definitely will help us going into this game tonight for sure."
On how helpful it is to have that "new season" mindset and put the regular season behind you:
"I think it's good. With all the ups and downs that we had throughout this year, it's good to just have a fresh reset. For the most part, we're pretty healthy. We got a couple guys still out, still trying to work back. But it definitely feels good to kind of, in a way, just put everything behind us and just look ahead and see what we can do to essentially change this whole season around."
On the main differences between regular season and postseason basketball:
"The physicality. I think that's the first thing. A lot of things they let go. It's all about the little things at this point — boxing out, rebounding, setting good screens, not fouling. It's all about the little things at this point."
On how challenging it is to turn the page and treat this as a brand-new season where every game must be won:
"For me personally, I don't see it — I don't think it's hard at all. I think I can say that for all my teammates. We live for moments like this. When we were little kids watching this on TV, watching the playoffs, we are super excited for tonight. Just to lace them up and get it going, for sure."
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