BOSTON - Back when Rajon Rondo was handling things for the Celtics, we were on triple-double watch just about every night.
With Rondo gone to Dallas, the thought was that the triple-doubles would go with him.
But that was before everybody got a good look at Evan Turner with the ball in his hands.
Turner recorded his third triple-double of the season - and his career - in Wednesday night's 100-87 win over the Pacers, finishing with 13 points, 11 rebounds, and 12 assists.
He's pouring them in at a decent rate, too, as first career triple-double came on February 25.
Rondo has exactly zero triple-doubles in Dallas, for those wondering.
Of course, it's not about triple-doubles - it's about wins. And Boston is 3-0 when Turner hits double digits in points, rebounds, and assists.
"It's definitely cool, it's definitely fun," Turner said if he's getting used to the triple-doubles, "and the biggest thing is winning. That's the coolest thing. Right now every game is key."
It may appear that Turner is playing better now than ever - and that might be true - but it's also to do with the fact his role on this Celtics team right now is different than in the past.
"I think the one thing is he plays in a lineup where he has the ball a lot," Stevens said, "and he’s probably never had the ball that much before, as far as playing the point. "You know, Marcus (Smart) can play the point when they’re in together as starters, but even today, Isaiah (Thomas) was in with both Evan and/or Marcus and we put Isaiah off the ball a little bit because that stretches your defense. You know, they have to honor Isaiah at the wing, which sometimes opens up rollers or give him a drive-and-kick off a live dribble. So Evan is playing well, but it’s not like he’s forcing anything. He’s just playing good basketball. He’s got the ball in his hands a lot.”
Turner averaged 11.7 points in March on 46-percent shooting from the field, 16 percentage points higher than in February when he shot 30-percent from the field. And in February when his shot wasn't falling as much, he was getting it done elsewhere, averaging 7.3 rebounds and 7.1 assists per game.
"I think I'm getting used to obviously the system," Turner said. "The personnel is pretty good. We're making shots. I think when we execute we're really tough to beat. This [success] is not [all about] me having the rock in my hand. I think it's just a team thing, a unit thing."
Turner is probably being counted on more than ever, and he's stepping up to the challenge. He logged a game-high 35:10 Wednesday night and finished as a plus-13.
"He’s been huge, he’s been really leading us and getting us going offensively and defensively," Kelly Olynyk said. "He’s been here a while in this league now and he’s leading our team right now, so it’s really huge to have him out here doing that.”