BOX SCORE
It doesnt matter how you come about the victory, just make sure the victory comes.
The Sixers could bring on that outcome, falling 95-89 to the New Jersey Nets. The loss snapped their modest two-game winning streak and will certainly have them looking at the standings at nights end with both New York and Milwaukee in action.
The Sixers played the Nets for a second time in four days. They had beaten NJ by 19 on Tuesday.
With 2:46 to play, the score was tied at 85 all. The Sixers struggled to close once again and were outscored 10-4 the rest of the way.
Turning pointThe Nets were 2 of 11 from behind the arc through three quarters. They made 4 of 5 long balls in the fourth quarter on their way to outscoring the Sixers 32-23 in the final 12 minutes.
Follow the leaderEvan Turner was one of four Sixers in double figures. Thaddeus Young scored eight of his 13 points in the third quarter as he made all four of his shot attempts. Meanwhile, Jrue Holiday added 19 points and six assists for the game.
Marshon Brooks hit some big shots down the stretch for the Nets before finishing with a game-high 22 points. Gerald Green came off the Nets bench to score 20 points, which included him draining three of the Nets four made three-pointers in the final frame.
For the third time this year, Kris Humphries posted a double-double against the Sixers with 18 points and 12 rebounds, while Deron Williams had a double-double as well with 11 points and 10 assists.
Stat-egicTurnovers happened far too frequently in this game for the Sixers. They entered the game averaging 11 turnovers per game, fewest in the NBA. Through three quarters they had committed 16 and the Nets turned them into 20 points.
The turnovers were the real reason the Sixers never built a significant lead with eight points being their largest.
Take a bowFor a second straight game, Turner looked confident and strong. Still in a reserve role, he had 18 points and seven rebounds. The second-year pro was able to pull up numerous times for his midrange jumper, which certainly is a strength.
Turner scored eight of his points in the fourth quarter and his teammates were definitely looking for him, not unlike when Jodie Meeks is making shots and they all look in his direction.
Whats next?The Sixers begin a stretch in which they play six of their final seven games of the season on the road, starting at Orlando on Monday.
The Magic have beaten the Sixers in two of three meetings this season, but Monday they are expected to be without All-Star center Dwight Howard. Howard flew to Los Angeles on Friday to get a second opinion on his ailing back that has caused him miss the last three games and five of the last seven.
E-mail Dei Lynam at dlynam@comcastsportsnet.com.
