Evan Turner Sparks Celtics At Perfect Time In Crucial Win Over Raptors

BOSTON — As has been the case so many times this season, Isaiah Thomas stepped up with an impressive scoring effort in Wednesday’s game against the Toronto Raptors.

But ever since two-way swingman Jae Crowder went down due to injury, the C’s have needed more than just Thomas’ scoring prowess to earn victories. Apparently Evan Turner got that memo.

Turner was the spark that ignited Boston’s strong second-half effort, dropping 13 of his team’s 23 points in the third quarter to help the C’s earn a crucial 91-79 win over the Kyle Lowry-less Raptors at TD Garden.

“We all know Evan can score the ball,” Celtics guard Avery Bradley said. “… That’s one of the strengths of our team: We’re so deep, anybody can be put into a position and do well in (head coach) Brad (Stevens’) system. And on top of that, we all trust each other and give each other confidence. Evan has confidence right now, and he’s playing really good.”

Turner scored in about every way imaginable in the third quarter. He started things off with a fast-break layup, knocked down three of his patented midrange jumpers and even canned a rare 3-pointer. His efforts couldn’t have come at a better time, as Boston emerged from the third quarter with a seven-point lead after being tied at halftime.

“I got my first layup in transition,” Turner said. “Any time you see the ball go in, it always helps. That’s pretty much it. I got to my spots and took my shots and tried to make the right play, whether it be shoot the ball or pass it.”

Turner certainly did plenty of passing. He led the Celtics with seven assists and brought the Garden crowd to its feet with fancy plays like this feed to Amir Johnson in the third:

The 27-year-old wasn’t the star of the night, as it was Thomas who drilled two huge 3-pointers and tallied three key assists in the fourth to help Boston seal the win.

But Turner’s impact in Crowder’s absence shouldn’t be understated. He has started in the place of Crowder in Boston’s last four games and thrived under the circumstances, averaging 15.5 points, 5.8 rebounds and 4.8 assists over that span to help the Celtics stay afloat without one of their key players.

“He was in the zone,” Thomas said of Turner’s effort Wednesday. “I kind of got off the ball and let him take over, and he did a great job of making plays and getting to his sweet spots and just making shots. He’s a hell of a player when he can get to his spots, and we rely on him to make plays and be a scorer.”

Thumbnail photo via Greg M. Cooper/USA TODAY Sports Images