Evan Turner, starting for only the second time this season, put forth a career effort, amassing 26 points and nine rebounds as the Philadelphia 76ers clobbered the Boston Celtics, 103-71, on Wednesday night in Philadelphia, PA.
"I was going to send Ty Lue out tonight, because I don't have anything to say," Celtics head coach Doc Rivers said. "We just didn't have it honestly. I thought Philly played terrific. We were sloppy. We missed a ton of open shots."
Turner was 11-of-19 from the field and led an efficient Sixers attack, as they team shot 48.3 percent from the field. Philly had six players reach double-digit scoring and out-rebounded the Celtics badly, 54-35. Elton brand had 18 points and nine boards, Lou Williams scored 15, Nikola Vucevic had 12 points and 14 rebounds and both Andre Iguodala and Jrue Holiday had 10 points for the Sixers.
"I thought he was terrific," Rivers said about Turner. "I thought he controlled the pace. I thought he was the key guy in the game."
Paul Pierce was the Celtics' leading scorer, finishing with 16 points in 26 minutes. Brandon Bass scored 12 and grabbed four boards while JaJuan Johnson added 10 points off the bench. Rajon Rondo had an unimpressive five points and eight assists, Ray Allen scored just two points and Kevin Garnett had eight points and five rebounds.
"Let's give Philly some credit," said Rivers. "They were ready for us.".
Boston had a chance to tie Philadelphia for first place in the Atlantic Division with a win, but instead fall two games behind the Sixers in the race for the division. Boston returns to action at home on Friday night against the Portland Trail Blazers before heading on an eight-game West coast road trip that starts Sunday.
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