76ers maul the Celtics
For the last few weeks, one of the hottest topics surrounding the struggling 76ers has been whether Evan Turner is a bust or just in need of playing time.
For the last few weeks, one of the hottest topics surrounding the struggling 76ers has been whether Evan Turner is a bust or just in need of playing time.
On Wednesday against the Boston Celtics, Turner, making his second start in a row, injected life into the struggling team. He scored a career-high 26 points on 11-for-19 shooting and flashed the smile that is on display constantly with his teammates as the Sixers bludgeoned the Celtics, 103-71, in front of 18,508 fans at the Wells Fargo Center.
One other debate that has raged is whether Turner can play with the ball in his hands. This, according to coach Doug Collins, is an issue no more.
"Evan is a point guard," Collins said after Turner's best game as a Sixer since the team made him the No. 2 overall selection in the 2010 draft. "At the end of the day, he's a point guard. The big thing is we've got to play an extended period of time with he and [Andre Iguodala] together, and that's what I'm locked into. Unless there is an injury, I'm finishing the year with those two guys playing together.
"You saw him," Collins continued. "He needs the ball in his hands."
After going 1 for 12 Monday against Milwaukee in his first start of the season, Turner set the tone early in the first quarter with 10 points and six boards. From there, the Sixers never looked back.
They led by 16 at the end of the first quarter, 22 at halftime, and 27 at the start of the fourth quarter. The victory was their second largest of the season, and as good as the offense was, the defense was equally good. The Celtics didn't play their starters in the fourth quarter, and their point total and field goal percentages (.350) were both season lows.
Turner's 26 points tied the team's season-high point totals. Lou Williams and Jodie Meeks both have scored 26.
Turner's best moment came with 6 minutes, 33 seconds left in the third quarter, when, with the shot clock winding down, Turner broke down defender Paul Pierce and hit an off-balance layup. Fouled on the play, Turner converted the free throw to put the Sixers up by 69-43.
"I'm just trying to build off of this game now," said Turner, a reserve his entire career. "I'm not trying to say 'I told you so' or point fingers or anything. I'm just enjoying the moment, you know. That's it."
The Sixers got a double-double from Nik Vucevic (14 points, 12 rebounds). Elton Brand finished with 18 points and nine rebounds. Iguodala had 10 points, 8 assists, and 7 rebounds, and Williams and Jrue Holiday finished with 15 and 10 points, respectively.
The Celtics' last two games required overtime.
"Just chalk it up to one of those nights from playing with tired legs," said Pierce, who led the Celtics with 16 points. "We know this team isn't 30 points better than us."
