Instant Replay: Jazz 89, Sixers 83

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The Sixers were smothered by the Utah Jazz's defense in Friday night's 89-83 loss.

The Jazz forced the Sixers into 36.4 percent shooting from the field to sweep the season series.

Robert Covington returned to action after missing two games with a right elbow contusion. He came off the bench and was 1 of 8 from the field for five points.

The starting backcourt of Jason Richardson and Isaiah Canaan struggled. Two days after combining for 60 points, the duo shot a combined 6 for 25. Richardson was scoreless, while Canaan finished with a team-high 16 points.

Turning point
The Sixers and Jazz were tied, 52-52, when Covington knocked down an 18-foot jumper with 4:05 to play in the third quarter.

Utah outscored the Sixers, 12-3, from that point to the end of the quarter and never looked back.

Follow the leader
Gordon Hayward was the only player on either team who had double-figure points at halftime with 12. Hayward led all scorers at game's end with 25 points. He also grabbed nine rebounds.

Jazz Center Rudy Gobert had nine points to go with 15 rebounds, while rookie point guard Dante Exum had five points and two assists in 23 minutes.

Ish Smith and Luc Mbah a Moute each scored 14 points for the Sixers. Nerlens Noel filled out the stat sheet with 10 points, 11 rebounds and six steals.

Stat-egic
One game after attempting a season-high 44 free throws and making a season-high 35, the Sixers went 9 for 18 at the foul line. The Jazz shot 29 of 41 at the line.

Take a bow
Thomas Robinson continues to put up numbers. He had 11 points and 12 rebounds in 15 minutes. In six games with the Sixers, Robinson is averaging 8.5 points and 8.3 boards in 16.8 minutes.

What's next?
The Sixers play the second of five consecutive home games when they face Atlanta Saturday night.

The Hawks have a 10-game lead over Chicago for the top spot in the Eastern Conference. They beat the Cavs on Friday night for their sixth straight win.

The Hawks rank second in the NBA with 25.5 assists a game, and they are second in points allowed at 96.4 per night.

Paul Millsap leads the Hawks in scoring with 16.9 points a game.

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