NEW YORK -- Tiago Splitter made his season debut in the Sixers' 106-101 win over the Nets at Barclays Center on Tuesday.
Splitter, who had not played since Jan. 31, 2016, scored two points with three rebounds in seven minutes off the bench. The veteran center underwent season-ending hip surgery last year and most recently had been dealing with calf issues.
The Sixers had to fend off Nets big man Brook Lopez to get the victory. Lopez led all players with 26 points, nine rebounds and six assists. The Sixers were propelled by Robert Covington (21 points, 13 rebounds) and Dario Saric (23 points, seven rebounds).
The Sixers (28-46) wrapped up their five-game road trip 2-3. The Nets (16-58) had been 5-5 in their previous 10 games, including a 15-point win over the Hawks two days earlier.
Down the stretch
The Sixers led 102-101 with a minute to play. T.J. McConnell drew a foul on Jeremy Lin and made both free throws to bring the Sixers' advantage to three points. Covington grabbed the rebound off a Lopez three-point attempt, and Saric missed a trey on the next possession. The Sixers retained possession with 8.4 seconds to go. Isaiah Whitehead fouled Richaun Holmes. He made both to give the Sixers a 106-101 edge.
Inside the box score
• Lopez scored 10 points in the first quarter and had 17 by halftime.
NBA
• Saric didn't waste any time bouncing back from Sunday's struggles. He scored nine points in the first quarter.
• Covington recorded his 12th double-double of the season.
• McConnell dished double-digit assists (10) for the 11th time this season.
• Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot had 17 points (he went 4 for 10 from three) and nine rebounds.
Rodriguez the latest injury
Sergio Rodriguez will miss a week with a strained left hamstring. He suffered the injury during Sunday's game against the Pacers. Rodriguez had a precautionary MRI Tuesday morning.
"It's a little strain," he said. "They say it's going to be about a week, then they'll see how it goes afterward. I feel good. It's a mess because there's no pain at all."
Jahlil Okafor (right knee soreness) missed his third straight game. Gerald Henderson (left hip soreness) also sat out. Jerryd Bayless and Ben Simmons were with the team.
Sixers fans on the road
A group of Sixers fans were loud and proud in Brooklyn. Their chants included "Ti-a-go" at the start of the game, "M-V-P" when Saric was at the line and, not to be forgotten, "trust the process" during the second half.
Philly connections
Villanova alum Randy Foye started for the Nets.
In the second half, a courtside fan yelled, "Chester jumps higher!" when Chester, Pa. native Rondae Hollis-Jefferson was taking a jump ball against Holmes.
Up next
The Sixers will return home (briefly) to host the Hawks Wednesday night. Then it's back on the road to play the Cavaliers on Friday in Cleveland.