Jazz capitalize on Joel Embiid's absence, pound 76ers
Jan 6, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Utah Jazz forward John Collins (20) scores against the Philadelphia 76ers during the second quarter at Wells Fargo Center. credits: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports Lauri Markkanen had 33 points and 13 rebounds to lift the Utah Jazz past the host Philadelphia 76ers 120-109 on Saturday.
Collin Sexton added 22 points and 10 assists while John Collins scored 19 points. Jordan Clarkson contributed 18 and Walker Kessler chipped in with 10.
Tyrese Maxey led the Sixers with 25 points, Kelly Oubre Jr. added 24 and Paul Reed had a season-high 16. Marcus Morris Sr. scored 15 and Patrick Beverley had 12.
The short-handed Sixers played without Joel Embiid (left knee swelling), Tobias Harris (left ankle soreness) and De'Anthony Melton (back). Reserves Furkan Korkmaz (illness) and Robert Covington (illness) were also unavailable.
Philadelphia fell to 2-6 without Embiid this season.
Philadelphia, which shot 7 of 38 from 3-point range, dropped consecutive home games after getting pummeled by 36 against the New York Knicks on Friday.
The Jazz went ahead 96-81 when Clarkson completed a three-point play with 10:22 remaining in the fourth quarter.
Oubre Jr. received a pass from Maxey and dunked to close the Sixers within 105-93 with 6:55 left. On their next possession, Reed tipped in Maxey's miss and the Sixers trailed by 10.
The Jazz scored the next five points on a free throw by Markkanen and two layups from Sexton for a 110-95 advantage with 5:10 left.
Sexton hit a difficult shot in the lane for a 53-50 Jazz lead with 3:15 left in the second quarter.
Philadelphia's Kenyon Martin Jr. threw down a dunk with 2:02 remaining to tie the game at 54.
In a back-and-forth game, the Jazz led 58-57 at halftime thanks in large part to 16 points from Markkanen and 15 from Collins.
Beverley paced the Sixers with 12.
Markkanen knocked down a 3-pointer from the wing with 9:01 left in the third for a 68-63 advantage. Another trey from Markkanen gave the Jazz a 75-67 lead with 5:28 to go.
Martin drove to the basket and scored with 1:14 left to close within 82-77.
The Jazz led 87-79 at the end of the third.
—Field Level Media
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