Turner showing signs of promise

Many believe that the Sixers need to make a move at the trade deadline in order to make a run in the playoffs. However, Evan Turner is starting to show promising signs that he can be the guy who was the second overall pick a year ago.

Turner is averaging 22 points and 12 rebounds in his last three games. Two of these games were against division rivals Boston and New York. In these last three games, Turner is averaging just under 40 minutes a game and the Sixers are 3-0.

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Against Boston, Turner broke out for 26 points and nine rebounds while shooting 57.9 percent from the field.  In the following game against Utah, he had 16 points on 7-12 shooting and added 12 rebounds and six assists. On Sunday, in the Sixers 106-94 victory over the Knicks, Turner eclipsed the 20 point mark again with 24 points and 15 rebounds in 40 minutes.

If Turner can keep this up, the Sixers will not need to make a move for somebody that can score 20 points a night. With Lou Williams and Andre Iguodala playing well, the Sixers are scoring plenty of points. The only concern that the team and fans might have is the lack of production from under the basket.

That could all change because center Spencer Hawes could be returning very soon. The Sixers reported that Hawes could return as early as Wednesday against the Indiana Pacers. This is good news, as the Sixers are 12-2 when Hawes is in the lineup.

With Evan Turner producing and Spencer Hawes returning, the Sixers are without a doubt a contender in the Eastern Conference.