On the message from the coaches in the locker room and the clutch shot by Jalen Suggs:

"I mean, that shot was big time. For at the end of the game, they're coming back. They made a push. For us to have the wherewithal to touch the paint, move it side to side, swing, swing, extra pass, step into it with confidence. That's what's needed. That's how we have to play. And that's what we need to continue to do for 48."

On how much the win helps the locker room's mindset right now:

"I've said this before—you hear the quote, it's better to learn lessons in a win than in a loss. That's the thing that we're going to talk about tonight. We got the job done and it was not pretty at the end of the day and we know that, we saw it, we see what it is. But again, to get the win and find a way through it all, that's important right now for us."

On the team's defensive issues tonight, especially with DeMar DeRozan and others:

"Realistically, DeMar DeRozan got himself going early. A lot of those were tough twos. We fouled him a bit too much. Ploudin got himself going and had a heck of a game. We got us on some cuts early on, offensive rebounds. So all those little things that we've been talking about, we've got to clean those up and continue to get better in that area, especially down this last nine-game stretch."

On the importance of making a push and holding off Sacramento in a close 95-95 tied game:

"Finding a way. I think that's what it comes down to, finding a way. And these guys did that. We made a little push, got ourselves going. Obviously they came back and hit a couple of big shots. But our ability just to find a way down the stretch—whether that's moving and sharing the basketball, finding the option for Dez and P in the pick and roll, coming down, guarding them, trying to take out the three—those are important pieces."

On Paolo Banchero stepping up with 30 points, getting to the line, and taking on DeRozan defensively:

"That was big for us for him to be able to come out and do that, to take on the challenge. DeRozan got himself going early. Pete called and said, 'Can he take him?' And I think that was a big major difference—putting size and strength on him and he just had to work on both ends. But getting guys involved, attacking the basket, getting to the free throw line, that's what we're going to continue to ask him to do."

On the team's body language tonight compared to the start of the losing streak:

"Body language is huge. It's everything for a group—the joy that you have for playing the game, the excitement you have for your teammate. If you miss a shot, don't let your shoulders drop, keep the same face, go do it the next time, take the shot again. Defensive assignment, communicate with your teammate, but lift them up. I think body language is gigantic for us and the ability to get this win and then you see the joy and the excitement. Now they're tired, but again, that's a big portion of it. Our guys being able to sustain the effort for 48 is important."

On whether the team struck the right balance between wanting winning results and sticking to the process tonight:

"I think the intent was definitely there for our guys, wanting to do the little things. Again, a big portion of it was Sacramento came out, played hard, they hit some big shots. A couple assignments we missed, but again, the guys were aware of it. Other times we've been a step slow, not into the ball like we needed to be, but tonight I think our intent was there for that. And the guys being able to see that is what's important. Then when we go to the film and we go to practice, now we're able to recognize exactly what it was in those moments. Not beautiful, but at the end of the day we know what we need to clean up and now we recognize it."

On using this resilient win as preparation for the upcoming game in Toronto:

"That's a great question. I really do believe that you go back to the film, you watch exactly what it is, you go through the scenarios that you're going to see in the game, and Toronto is a team that's not going to stop playing. They're going to keep coming after you. So our ability to recognize that, to play the same way—it goes back to the intent and the details of how we want to play. Our communication's got to be at a high level and we've got to be tied together, especially in that arena because it's loud and they got a great fan base. Our guys got to make sure we're ready for that."

On the added importance of games against direct competitors in the standings:

"You got to find a way. You definitely have to find a way in that situation."

Don't miss out on our ROUNDTABLE community and the latest news!

It's completely free to join. Share your thoughts, engage with our Roundtable writers, and chat with fellow members.

Download the free Roundtable APP, and stay even more connected!

For additional coverage, subscribe to our Full Court Magic Podcast!