NEW YORK — Nerlens Noel caught a nifty wrap-around pass from Michael Carter-Williams, jumped straight up and dunked it home with 3.2 seconds left to give the Sixers a 90-88 victory over the Brooklyn Nets at the Barclays Center on Friday night.
Brook Lopez missed a desperate three-point attempt at the buzzer, leaving the Sixers with their sixth win of the season.
At 6-29, the Sixers bounced back from an ugly loss at home to Milwaukee on Wednesday night where they shot just 30 percent from the field.
Turning point
With 3:12 to play, Robert Covington pulled up for a three-pointer and swished it. It cut the Nets' lead to 86-85. It was his third three-pointer of the game.
On the Sixers' next possession, Tony Wroten had a three-point play the original way, putting the Sixers up two points.
Follow the leader
Covington led the Sixers with 20 points to go with seven rebounds and six steals. Noel had 12 points, including the game-winner, and five rebounds.
NBA
Carter-Williams was just 2 for 9 from the floor, finishing with eight points, six rebounds and eight assists.
For the Nets, Lopez scored 18 points, while his frontcourt mate, Mason Plumlee, totaled 15 points. Plumlee also had a career-high 15 rebounds.
Jarrett Jack started at point guard for the Nets. He had 14 points and 10 assists.
Stat-egic
Two days after shooting 8.0 percent from three-point range, the Sixers made 8 of 17 threes for 47.1 percent.
Take a bow
Luc Mbah a Moute made his presence felt after missing the last two games with turf toe. Starting at the small forward, he scored 16 points on 5 for 9 shooting. He made two three-pointers and grabbed three rebounds.
He also did a nice job on defense against Joe Johnson. Johnson finished with just 11 points.
Injuries
The Nets played without Deron Williams and Kevin Garnett. KG was given the night to rest. Williams is out indefinitely with a broken rib.
What's next?
The Sixers play their fourth game in six nights on Saturday when they host the Indiana Pacers. Both teams will be in a back-to-back situation. While the Sixers were playing the Nets, the Pacers beat the Celtics in overtime, 107-103.
The Pacers are 26th in the NBA in scoring, but they do defend, allowing the second-fewest points at 96.6 a night.
With Paul George out for the season, George Hill is leading Indiana in scoring with 14.2 points per game. The Pacers' leading rebounder is former Sixer Lavoy Allen, who is averaging 7.1 rebounds.