BOX SCORE
NEW ORLEANSThe Sixers turned to their defense in Wednesdays fourth quarter to change what was a six-point deficit at the start into an eight-point win at its conclusion.
They defeated the Hornets, 101-93, to finish off their five-game road trip and had six players finish with double figures in points (see game breakdown.)
When you look at the fourth quarter, we had 13 points off turnovers. We had had none for the game through three quarters, Doug Collins said. Our energy level picked up and we had some guys come off the bench and do a great job, and Jrue (Holiday) was magnificent coming down the stretch.
Holiday made 5 of 6 fourth-quarter shots, three of which were three-pointers. He finished with a game-high 23 points.
I just looked to be aggressive, Holiday said. Luckily, tonight it was falling for me. In the fourth quarter it was falling for me.
Holiday rephrased because he was 3 of 9 from the floor heading into the final 12 minutes.
NBA
Evan Turner was the leading scorer off the Sixers bench. He was 8 for 12 from the field, finishing with 21 points, six rebounds and four assists.
Turner was asked after the win if he is as good right now as he was his junior year at Ohio State. He wouldnt say yes to that, but he does like the progress of his game.
My junior year at Ohio State was unbelievable, Turner said. I was pretty damn good back then. Am I approaching it? I am just taking it step by step. Its only the fifth game. I understand there is going to be some ups and downs, but I am more looking at the rim now as opposed to looking for this pass or the next man. I am asserting myself more each day and I am just having fun.
He feels like he is a really good player, Collins said of Turner. We know he is. Hes really confident. He is one of our best rebounders and his on-the-ball defense was really good tonight. He has toughness. He is confident with that ball taking it where he wants to go. He is fearless and he is one of our best competitors.
Earlier in the day, the Sixers were part of a three-team trade that sent Marreese Speights to Memphis and brought back to the Sixers two future second-round draft picks (see story.) Then, just before the opening tip, the team announced that rookie Nik Vucevic was sidelined because he had hurt his back during pregame warmups.
Spencer Hawes and Elton Brand did an excellent job competing with a physical New Orleans front line that leads the NBA in overall rebounding as well as offensive rebounding.
Hawes finished with 17 points, seven rebounds and four blocked shots, while Brand had a double-double with 12 and 12.
Tonight was really the first game where I was in foul trouble, said Hawes, who picked up his fourth personal with 2:28 to go in the third quarter. That was a little frustrating, but I think coach did a really good job keeping us fresh out there to bang with them. I thought early on they got into us but I thought we responded well.
I would like to throw the first punch a little more, but better late then never. I think we played them well over the course of the game and continued to match their physicality.
The Hornets starting backcourt of Eric Gordon and Jarrett Jack combined for 41 points, though Gordon was limited to just two points in the final 12 minutes.
After allowing the Hornets to shoot 55 percent in the first quarter, the Sixers held them to 41 percent the rest of the way.
New Orleans has lost four straight games, falling to 2-4.
The Sixers improved to 3-2 on the season and now return home after their road trip.
That was the goal, Holiday said. To be above .500 feels good so I am glad we accomplished that.
E-mail Dei Lynam at dlynam@comcastsportsnet.com.