Jrue Holiday Holiday scored 25 points, while Evan Turner added 18 points and 11 rebounds to help the Philadelphia 76ers get past the Detroit Pistons 104-97.
Philadelphia shot very well from the field, making 44 of 82 attempts out of which Holiday and Turner had a combined 19 of 33.
"I thought Jrue and myself would be successful," said Turner, who made eight of his 13 shots. "When we play like this, we have a great chance at winning games. Tonight, we did that."
Andrew Bynum has been out of action because of a knee injury this season, but Turner and Holiday have raised their game, ensuring the team's performance is not affected too much. It is still not sure whether Bynum will be able to play in this season at all.
"I think we saw it last year in the playoffs when Jrue and myself stepped up," Turner said. "When the plays run for you, you've got to make the shot."
For the 76ers, Thaddeus Young scored 20 points and had nine of 13 attempts from the field. He also had a game-high five steals. Spencer Hawes added 15 points and grabbed eight rebounds.
Holiday, Turner and Young performed brilliantly, making the right plays, whenever Philadelphia needed it.
"We're the guys that have to go out there and be key for us each and every night," Young said.
Philadelphia players were looking confident in the field and they took a lead in the first quarter by outscoring the Pistons 25-21. But the committed Detroit side made a nice comeback and outscored their opponents 28-21 to take a three-point lead in the first half.
The 76ers, however, started the third quarter with a 14-0 run and turned the game in their favor.
Detroit fought back to reduce the gap with Jason Maxiell's dunk, before Brandon Knight shot a three-pointer to tie the score at 71. With Hawes' 18-footer the Sixers ended the third quarter with a 76-75 lead.
Holiday, then, took over in the fourth quarter, scoring 12 points to lead the Sixers to victory.
For Detroit, Greg Monroe and Brandon Knight added 22 points apiece, while Rodney Stuckey finish with 19. Tayshaun Prince contributed with 16 points. Monroe also chipped in with seven rebounds and shot seven of 13 from the field.
"Holiday got away from us a couple of times," Pistons coach Lawrence Frank said. "We had some great looks at the rim that unfortunately didn't go our way. We just have to be cleaner."
© Copyright 2024 Sports World News, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.