Holiday looks to build on career game, calls for ball in crunch time

As the Sixers anxiously — and painfully — await the debut of Andrew Bynum, another player has arrived. Jrue Holiday is turning into a superstar and filling the scoring void the Sixers desperately needed.

Holiday went off for a career-high 33 points (13-of-21) in Sunday’s 104-101 win over Phoenix. He also dished out 13 assists (one shy of a career-high), while turning the ball over just twice. (Holiday is averaging 4.3 turnovers per game for the season.)

“I think Evan [Turner] and them kind of took the toll [Saturday night], so it was kind of my turn,” Holiday said. “I like having the feel of the game. I guess I like the pressure of the game in my hands, especially games that come down to crunch time.”

Holiday also is invaluable as a floor leader.

“He’s our distributor and he’s the one who makes the plays,” Thaddeus Young said. “Sometimes the offense becomes stagnant without Jrue in the game.”

But Holiday admits there are parts of his game that he needs to improve on. Coach Doug Collins wants him to take that extra dribble and get to the free-throw line more. Holiday shot 6-of-8 from the charity stripe Sunday night.

“To get to the next level, I have to get to the free throw line more,” Holiday said.