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Turner starting to make strides

As a bench player for his first six games this season, 76ers rookie Evan Turner has had sporadic scoring bursts - a career high one night, no points the next.

"Evan [Turner] has gotten much better off the ball," 76ers coach Doug Collins said. (Yong Kim/Staff file photo)
"Evan [Turner] has gotten much better off the ball," 76ers coach Doug Collins said. (Yong Kim/Staff file photo)Read more

As a bench player for his first six games this season, 76ers rookie Evan Turner has had sporadic scoring bursts - a career high one night, no points the next.

Yet with Andre Iguodala out with tendinitis in his right Achilles tendon, Turner found some balance in his first career start Sunday in New York. In 35 minutes, he poured in 14 points, grabbed 10 rebounds, and delivered three assists in the Sixers' 106-96 win.

On Wednesday night, Turner will make his second start as the Sixers resume their five-game trip in Oklahoma City.

Coach Doug Collins said Tuesday that he thinks Iguodala will be back Friday, barring "any setbacks." He also said the same on Monday when asked whether he thought Iguodala would play Wednesday.

The uncertainty is one of the subplots of this Sixers season. Some of it centers on Turner, the No. 2 overall pick after John Wall.

Turner quietly has made strides. And he showed enough Sunday to prompt Collins to reach out to Turner's coach at Ohio State.

"I talked to Thad Matta via text last night," Collins said. "I said, 'You would have been very proud of Evan as he walked into the Garden. He had a key steal, big rebounds down the stretch, [and he] stepped up to the line and made some free throws. And [Matta] said, 'Keep showing him the how and the why . . . because the kid loves to win.' "

"I'm kind of always trying to understand everything we're about to do," Turner said. "Once I have a good understanding for it and why we're doing it, it helps me . . . execute better."

Not to be overlooked is the backcourt combination of Turner and point guard Jrue Holiday, which has been mutually beneficial.

"Evan has gotten much better off the ball," Collins said, "and I think Evan has freed up Jrue a little to do some things on the floor, be more aggressive and score."

Playing much of the second half with Turner on Friday, Holiday registered a career-high 29 points along with eight assists. In New York, he had 19 points and eight assists.

Holiday said "it was just a matter of time" before they found their rhythm playing alongside each other.

"He kind of had to feel me out, I had to feel him out," Holiday said. "But working with him is easy. People say we're the future; he's an all-around player. Easy to play with, on or off the ball."

Turner understands there's plenty of work ahead. He knows he has to improve his shot and limit turnovers.

Still, through this maturation process, Turner has modest averages to show for his labor - 9.3. points, 6 rebounds, and 2.6 assists. None of it goes without recognition. After his start Sunday, Turner was nudged up in ESPN's rookie rankings from ninth to eighth.

"I think, every single game and every single day, I'm getting a little more acclimated," he said.

Notes. For the second consecutive day, Jason Kapono was excused from practice because of personal reasons. Collins cited "family issues" for his absence.

"I texted [Kapono] last night," the coach said. "And I said, 'You do what you have to do. Take care of your stuff. And if you can't get to Oklahoma City, then we'll see you in Dallas.' I'm not sure we'll see him there, either."

Craig Brackins, a 6-foot-10 rookie forward, could make his debut in one of the road games.