On the team's offensive execution down the stretch:

"It's something that we've talked about, especially leading up to this game, just how we can execute better down the stretch and in half court situations. And like you said, I thought we did a much better job. Paulo was mixing up getting downhill and getting off the ball early. Other guys were able to get downhill, create some rotations and make plays. I thought it was great. Much better offensively. Still got to figure out how to string together some stops on the defensive end. We got a few when it mattered, but we're better than that on that end for sure."

On what it will take to string together consistent defensive stops without Jalen Suggs:

"It's just going to be collective. Everybody's going to have to do a little bit more. That's been our identity and something that we have to lean into and losing a guy like Jalen, you got to lean into it even more. So give them credit. They play fast. They got a lot of guys that can make plays, but we'll be better on Tuesday or whenever we play."

On the importance of gutting out a win despite subpar defense:

"A win is a win. But like you said, it was good to gut it out, but every game you got to look yourself in the mirror, look the team in the mirror and see where we could have been better and we'll do that and we'll hopefully get better and string a couple wins together on the road."

On the message heading into Washington to break the month-long streak without back-to-back wins:

"We're going in there playing a good team. They're playing good basketball. Playing with a lot of confidence, especially as of late. So it's not going to be easy. But we're going to have to do it together, continue to share the ball. I think we had 34 assists tonight, seven turnovers. That's got to travel, that's got to carry over and then be better on the defensive end. It'll give us a chance."

On Anthony Black's growth as a passer/playmaker (10 assists):

"He's doing everything. He's guarding other teams' top perimeter player. He's scoring the basketball. He's setting up his teammates. He's a worker. He's been in the gym. He loves to compete, plays really hard. And it's paying off for him. You can see his confidence continue to grow just in certain playmaking actions in different ways. He's looking to be aggressive when it really matters."

On what he's told Jase Richardson throughout the season (after a strong performance):

"I told him stay ready. And he works and the thing that I learned about that kid from the first week is he ain't scared of the moment. Open gym I'm chirping at him going at him and he coming right back at me so I was like okay I like this kid. But we just joking. He was in the game in the fourth quarter playing very meaningful minutes so it's big for him, big for his development and we're going to need him, we're going to need to continue to lean on him. Plus 14 tonight, team high."

On the balanced scoring:

"34 assists. When the ball moves, everybody eats. That was kind of something that we was talking about in the timeout, leaning into everybody eats and everybody. You look up and down the board and just about everybody had an efficient night. We're helping each other, making each other better on that end. And that's something that we're gonna have to continue to do if we want to be a good offensive team."

Remember to join our MAGIC on ROUNDTABLE community, which is FREE! You can post your own thoughts, in text or video form. and you can engage with our Roundtable staff, as well as other Magic fans. If prompted to download the Roundtable APP, that's free too!