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Evan Turner scored a career-high 26 points and added nine rebounds as the Philadelphia 76ers crushed the Boston Celtics, 103-71, Wednesday night at the Wells Fargo Center. The victory now pulls the 76ers two games ahead of the Celtics for the Atlantic Division lead and the fourth-seed in the playoffs.

Besides Pierce, Celtics’ Starters Struggle

Paul Pierce had 16 points for the lifeless Celtics, whose winning streak was abruptly halted at five games. Brandon Bass had 12 points and JaJuan Johnson added 10 off the Celtics bench.

Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen and Rajon Rondo combined to go 6-for-22 from the field for a collective 15 points. Allen failed to score a field goal in five attempts. As a team the Celtics shot just 35 percent from the field.

The 76ers, on the other hand, had 6 players score in double figures. In addition to Turner, Elton Brand (18), Andre Iguodala (10), Jrue Holiday (10), Lou Williams (15), and Nikola Vucevic (14) all scored in double figures.

The Celtics were out-rebounded by Philly 54-35 and gave up more than 100 points for just the fifth time this season. Boston recorded a season-low 16 assists and also failed to connect on a three-point field goal for the first time this season.

Celtics’ Statement Silenced in Philly

The Celtics, simply put, were unwatchable. When the Celtics trailed by 22 at the half, I momentarily thought that a second-half comeback was about to happen and set the tone for the rest of the season.

It didn’t.

The only excuse the Celtics have is that they’ve played two overtime games in the last week. This was a chance for the Celtics to send a statement to the rest of the league that they won’t go quietly into the night, and they failed.

With Portland and the Lakers on the slate for the rest of the week, the Boston Celtics need to put this stinker behind them fast.

Tags: Andre Iguodala, Boston Celtics, Brandon Bass, Elton Brand, Evan Turner, Jrue Holiday, Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, Philadelphia 76ers, Rajon Rondo, Ray Allen