Instant Replay: Suns 123, Sixers 116

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PHOENIX -- Brett Brown paired Joel Embiid and Nerlens Noel for less than two minutes on Friday against the Suns, but the brief combination was overshadowed by the Sixers’ second-half letdown in which they allowed 70 points.

The Sixers were in control of the first two quarters and led 66-53 at halftime, a season-high in scoring. The Suns went on a three-point attack at the start the third. They drained three straight treys during a 13-0 run to take the lead. The Sixers responded to go up by 10 and lead 85-81 after three, only to have the Suns erase that advantage in the fourth.

Once up by 14, the Sixers found themselves down 12 with four minutes to play. They made a late-game push, led by seven points in 22 seconds from Sergio Rodriguez, to make it a four-point match with 12 seconds remaining. The Suns held on to pull off a 123-116 comeback win and snap a four-game losing streak. 

“I just felt like defensively we had a hard time defending their backcourt. They’re dynamic,” Brown said after the game. “I thought defensively, they did a good job of standing up our guys. They did a really good job of taking us out of stuff as well."

As for Embiid and Noel, they played together for a brief 1:47 in the first quarter. Noel scored two free throws during that time as the Sixers outscored the Suns 5-2. 

Inside the stats
Embiid scored 20+ points for the ninth time this season. He led all players with 27 points (8 for 15 from the field, 1 for 3 from three, 10 for 11 from the line) and seven rebounds.

Rodriguez finished with 21 points (including 4 for 8 from three) and seven assists.

Robert Covington fouled out with 16 points. 

Noel played 10 minutes and scored four points with a rebound. 

Eric Bledsoe led the Suns with a 24-point, 11-assist double-double. Tyson Chandler also posted one with 15 points and 12 rebounds.

Devin Booker dropped 23 points and T.J. Warren added 19 off the bench.

The Sixers committed 20 turnovers which led to 28 points by the Suns. 

The Suns’ 14-point comeback was their largest of the season.

Dive time
Another game, another dive into the stands. Embiid soared into the Suns' bench in the first half. He didn’t clear the sidelines like Shaquille O’Neal did in Phoenix, though. Watch Embiid here.

Injury update
Nik Stauskas (right knee contusion) did not play. Richaun Holmes remained in Philadelphia following the NBA’s concussion protocol following a collision at Thursday’s practice. 

Up next
The Sixers are off for Christmas Eve and Christmas. They will play their next game on Dec. 26 in Sacramento against the Kings. Many of the Sixers are going to Jerryd Bayless’ home in Phoenix for Christmas Eve. 

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