NBA: Coach’s challenges help 76ers hang on vs Jazz

Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) and forward Paul George (8) react to a play vs the Utah Jazz during the fourth quarter of an NBA game at Delta Center. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images

Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey each scored 32 points to lift the Philadelphia 76ers to a 114-111 victory over the Utah Jazz in the NBA in Salt Lake City on Saturday night.

Embiid hit a go-ahead jumper with 1:38 remaining to make it 110-108, and the Sixers then held off the Jazz from the free-throw line in the final minute, with Maxey and Paul George each hitting a pair of foul shots.

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Embiid intercepted a Jazz pass in the waning seconds to prevent Utah from having a chance to get off a game-tying 3-point attempt at the buzzer. That helped the Sixers win for the fifth time in six games.

George supplied 13 points and five steals in the come-from-behind victory.

Lauri Markkanen scored 23 points and made it a one-point game with his fifth 3-pointer of the contest with 5.1 seconds remaining before Maxey hit two clutch free throws.

Dec 28, 2024; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Utah Jazz guard Jordan Clarkson (00) blocks the shot of Philadelphia 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey (0) during the second quarter of an NBA game at Delta Center. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images

Collin Sexton added 20 points, eight assists and six rebounds for Utah, while Brice Sensabaugh contributed 20 points off the bench.

Utah led by 14 points in the first half and held a six-point lead in the fourth quarter before falling for the third straight game. Jordan Clarkson scored 17 points and Walker Kessler had 11 points and 11 rebounds in the setback.

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The Sixers won two coach’s challenges in the final minute, including one with 18.2 seconds remaining when Clarkson was called for a foul against George.

George left the door open for the Jazz by making only one of the two ensuing free throws.

After Markkanen missed a 3-point attempt with 12.6 seconds to play, Philadelphia was awarded the ball back after a review prompted by a challenge found that the ball last touched the Jazz before going out of bounds.

George then all but clinched the win by hitting another free throw for a four-point lead, 112-108, with 6.8 seconds left.

Philadelphia stretched its lead to 11 in the third quarter with an 8-2 run. The Jazz responded with eight straight points and had the game tied at 81 heading into the fourth.

The 76ers were up 57-52 at the break behind Embiid and Maxey, who combined for 32 points over the first two quarters. –Field Level Media