NBA EASTERN CONFERENCE FINALS: HAWKS VS. BUCKS

July 1, 2021

Bogdan Bogdanovic

Atlanta Hawks

Game 5: Postgame

Milwaukee Bucks 123, Atlanta Hawks 112

Q. Did you feel like you guys came out flat tonight and it was just kind of putting yourself in a situation where you have to climb out of that big hole?

BOGDAN BOGDANOVIC: Like Coach said, at the beginning of the game, they punched us in the face right away and we couldn't find the rhythm. We couldn't find the way to stop them later on. It's hard to chase the 20-point lead the whole game. It takes a lot of energy.

But it's one game. We've been here before, and on to the next one.

Q. What were the specific reasons for why you think you guys came out flat in that first quarter?

BOGDAN BOGDANOVIC: I don't know right now really. Maybe a couple of turnovers, a couple defensive plays, a couple box-outs as well. In the first quarter, they got like 26, 28 points in the paint out of 34 or something like that. And they got their rhythm. It's harder to stop later on.

Q. You mentioned the number of points in the paint -- 28 in the first quarter, 44 in the first half. You guys were so good in that area before, and Brook Lopez in particular was able to get to the rim. What did they do in particular to get him going tonight?

BOGDAN BOGDANOVIC: Probably when they saw that Giannis wasn't playing, they had to find other guys. We have to do better in these adjustments. We talked about it. We expect them to be more aggressive, especially with Brook.

The game is over right now, so nothing else.

Q. I know you don't want to talk much about your personal performance after Game 4, but you had another strong game today. Are you feeling better as the series goes along?

BOGDAN BOGDANOVIC: Same. You know my answer is the same.

Q. You guys were obviously down 3-2 in the last series and ended up winning. [The Hawks were ahead 3-2 in the last series.] Does it at least give you a little bit of confidence that it can be done again?

BOGDAN BOGDANOVIC: I think no one in the locker room lost their confidence, even tonight after a bad start, even after the game. It's a different series obviously. We want to keep believing.

Q. It seemed that you guys are still having some problems with stretches where you can't make shots. At one point you guys were 1-for-13 in the first half. Is it a problem with the defense by the Bucks or just not being able to execute the open shots?

BOGDAN BOGDANOVIC: I think in the playoffs it's about a lot of adjustments, in-game adjustments and gaining momentum. Tonight we couldn't find a way to stop them, and they punished us. We have too many turnovers. When you check the turnovers, I think 14, 15, something like that. They had only eight.

This game is over. So we have to think about adjustments for the next game. We know what they're going to do now.

Q. You said Coach said you guys got punched in the face. They were more physical in the paint. Do you feel you guys were playing soft, and do you guys have the ability within to punch back?

BOGDAN BOGDANOVIC: No, we didn't play soft, but a couple turnovers, a couple of offensive rebounds leads to that. They gained momentum in the beginning early in the game. A couple turnovers and a couple rebounds, you gain the lead, and it's much easier to play. We can definitely play harder than this.

Q. How do you think the team will respond on Saturday?

BOGDAN BOGDANOVIC: I know we are fearless and we are tough, so I know we'll respond.

Q. Were you guys surprised by the way the Bucks played without Giannis?

BOGDAN BOGDANOVIC: No, we know they're great players and they're elite players. They have also other guys around Giannis. They knew they have to step up. Now it's our turn.

Q. The next game you guys get an opportunity to go home and play in front of your fans. Can you just talk about moving forward and competing and looking for a victory?

BOGDAN BOGDANOVIC: Yeah, you said everything, man. It's going to be fun, for sure, and we are excited to play at home. It's not going to be hopefully the last game playing in front of our home crowd.

Q. Looking at the bright side, what are the takeaways from this game that could help you and your team step up and get ready for that Game 6 back at home?

BOGDAN BOGDANOVIC: So three things: We have to start better, execution offensively and game plan and defense. Obviously, turnovers, control the game better, control the ball. And offensive rebounds and points in the paint. That's kind of the same.

Q. What do you think should be the main adjustments on defense for Game 6 in order to win this game?

BOGDAN BOGDANOVIC: Better one-on-one defense, better rotations defensively and box out. These things.