Sixers' Collins like a driver's ed teacher

On "Sixers Postgame Live" Monday night I likened Doug Collins to a driver’s ed teacher. He has a bunch of willing students, all of whom have their hands on the wheel as they try to arrive at the same destination. They do a pretty good job of steering, but occasionally they veer off path and the coach has to reel them in. Except in this case, he cannot take over control of the wheel in times of trouble.

That limitation places the ultimate responsibility on his students, and this time they maneuvered the obstacle course known as the fourth quarter magnificently.

Following the Sixers’ 82-81 win in Game 2, Collins pointed to one late-game scenario that highlighted the teacher-student dynamic.

With just under two minutes remaining, Jrue Holiday hit a three-pointer to give the Sixers a two-point lead. Then, on the next possession, with his team behind by one, Collins watched as the shot clock ran out, resulting in one of the Sixers’ uncharacteristically high 19 turnovers. Up to that point, the students had driven the course without much incident, but one wrong turn(over) could have been serious enough to ruin everything.

Fortunately the students maintained their composure and regained their bearings, and in the end, everybody arrived home safely. Series tied 1-1 as they head to Philadelphia.

As was the case with the Game 1 loss, the road to victory in Game 2 was rife with intrigue in the decisive quarter. Forty-eight hours after they came up just short of a win in Boston, the Sixers proved to be better drivers then their far more experienced counterparts.

Two games. Each decided by one point. Now might be a good time to do what any good driver’s ed teacher would demand: Buckle up and enjoy the ride.

E-mail Ron Burke at rburke@comcastsportsnet.com