Holiday, Sixers Ready For Key Match-Ups With the Knicks
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - Fresh off Wednesday's win over the Nets, Jrue Holiday and the Sixers are readying for a critical home-and-home series with the Knicks, the team just ahead of them in the playoff standings.
In that win over the Nets, second-year point guard Jrue Holiday notched his first career triple-double with 11 points, 11 assists and 10 rebounds. On Friday, Holiday called in to KYW Newsradio and said that things are really starting to come together for the 22-26 Sixers. "I think we are starting to feel more comfortable as a team. I think we are all starting to figure out our roles and really just meshing together well," Holiday said.
Holiday showed flashes of brilliance last season, but he has taken a quantum leap in development here under Doug Collins. "Even though I didn't get a chance to play that much, I think that really motivated me, especially coming in with Coach Collins," Holiday said. "He has really helped me to be a better point guard, as well as a player."
As for these games with the Knicks, the Sixers are in 7th place in the Eastern Conference playoff race, three games behind New York who sit in 6th. Holiday says they realize the importance of this weekend. "For the team, these are must win games."
The Sixers beat the Knicks 106-96 in New York back on November 7th, their only meeting up to this point of the season.
Holiday has started all 48 games at the point for the Sixers. He's averaging 14.1 points, 4 rebounds and 6.7 assists per game. That has earned him a spot in the Rookie Challenge game during All-Star Weekend later this month in Los Angeles. He will lace them up for the sophomore team. The UCLA product talks about what he's looking forward to most about the festivities. "Really just to have fun. I'm from California, I live probably 20 minutes outside of L.A. So, for my family to be there and really just have a good time. Oh, and the dunk contest, which I think is going to be nuts," Holiday said.
Click to listen to Matt's Conversation with Jrue Holiday
Reported by Matt Leon, KYW Newsradio
