Evan Turner's best two games with the Celtics have come in Chicago, aided by texts from his mom?
On Saturday night in Chicago, Evan Turner scored a season-high 29 points in the Celtics' overtime loss to the Bulls. Turner also pitched in five rebounds and six assists while shooting 4-for-5 from three-point range in what was far and away his best game of the season. Turner easily eclipsed his previous top scoring total of the year, 19 points in a 106-101 Boston victory on November 8--also in Chicago. Oddly enough Turner posted five boards and six assists in that contest as well, his first start of the season.
In two games on the road against the Bulls Turner has put forth his two premier performances with the Celtics, nearly leading Boston to wins on each occasion. Following Saturday's defeat, Turner offered a possible reason for his success against Chicago:
Evan Turner on his big games against the Bulls: "I think what they give up is what I do." Midrange.
— Jay King (@ByJayKing) January 4, 2015
A more likely explanation might simply be that guys always love going back home to play. Turner was born in Chicago and grew up in nearby Westchester, Illinois. However, in seven previous regular season visits to the Windy City with Philadelphia and Indiana, Turner never logged more than 12 points in any game.
After scoring 24 of his 29 points in the second half Saturday, Celtics coach Brad Stevens suggested another potential cause of Turner's impressive outing:
Stevens on Evan Turner's big 2nd half and what happened at halftime. "No words from me. He might gotten a text from his Mom, I don't know."
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) January 4, 2015
Follow Mark Vandeusen on Twitter @LucidSportsFan
