On the focus of shootaround today:

"We had a very active shoot around. Defensive focus was the key. Last couple games we've been giving up way too many points. So our ability to sit down, get stops. The focus level was just that and how to go about the game plan tonight."

On body language and its importance:

"Body language carries how you approach the game. Whether you make a shot, miss a shot, miss a rotation, don't miss a rotation. You can't let it affect you. You can't let it compound. You've got to make sure your energy stays the same. Win, loss, your energy stays the same. Make shot, miss shot, your energy stays the same because it's contagious. Your energy is contagious to how you show up every single day to your teammates and to the coaching staff. Just like us as coaches. Got to bring the same energy level and mentality every game."

On the mood of the team after Sunday's loss:

"We got back to work. The mood was, you know, you just got beat. You didn't play well. You didn't play your best basketball game. A lot of things happened that didn't go your way. But you've got to come back the next day and work. And that's what we did. We came out and we worked today and then we'll see how we respond tonight."

On what he wants to see from the team right from the jump:

"Sustained effort defensively. The right body language for each other, for the group, and how we need to come out and approach the game. But defensively, how do we come out and approach the game defensively with that level of focus?"

On how Fran is doing and how close he is to returning:

"Fran is progressing well. He has done some physical, some games and some five on five and so we'll see how he responds to that treatment today and we'll go from there."

On whether there is extra caution with Fran because of the two false starts:

"Yeah, we want to make sure we're covering every aspect that we can. So to that point, yes."

On facing the Suns and the importance of taking care of the basketball:

"Gigantic. Obviously coming off that game, it's a lesson learned of how we need to take care of the basketball, how we got to get to our spots, how we have to have the proper spacing. All those things are key, especially with a team like this that plays as physical as they do tonight as well."

On how much a good win can change the mood with what's left in the season:

"That's the thing about riding the roller coaster wave of wins and losses. It doesn't serve you well. So yes, you lost the game and that's not what we wanted to do. And at the end of the day, if you win tonight, you win the game and then you go play the next game. So you don't ride the wave of the things that are happening. We're still in the position that we're in. No good, no bad. We just got to make sure we're taking care of our business down the stretch."

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