Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons each recorded double-doubles and Robert Covington hit a go-ahead 3-pointer in the final minute to lift the Philadelphia 76ers past the visiting Brooklyn Nets 120-116 Friday at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia.

Embiid finished with 24 points and 19 rebounds, and Simmons added 21 points, 12 assists and eight rebounds for the Sixers, who began the night in sixth place in the Eastern Conference.

Barring a complete collapse, Philadelphia appears headed back to the playoffs for the first time since the 2011-12 season. The 76ers had trouble putting away the struggling Nets on Friday, though.

Caris LeVert gave the Nets a 115-113 lead with 1:16 to play. Covington answered with a 3-pointer on the Sixers' next possession, and T.J. McConnell hit a pair of free throws to put Philadelphia in front 118-115 with 19 seconds to play.

Spencer Dinwiddie missed a potential tying 3-pointer for the Nets, and Embiid sealed the win with a pair of free throws.

Brooklyn led 56-43 after a jumper from Rondae Hollis-Jefferson with two minutes left in the second quarter. The Sixers closed the half with a spurt: Marco Belinelli and JJ Redick hit 3-pointers on consecutive possessions, cutting the Nets' lead to 58-55 at halftime.

Redick had 13 points to lead all scorers in the first half and extend his streak with double figures to 10 straight games. He finished with 23 points.

Hollis-Jefferson scored 21 points and DeMarre Carroll added 18 points and 11 rebounds for the Nets, who have lost three in a row and are already eliminated from playoff contention.

LeVert scored 16 points off the bench and Dinwiddie finished with 14 points for the Nets, who hit 15 3-pointers and outrebounded the Sixers 47-42 but came up short.

Brooklyn opens a three-game homestand Saturday against Dallas.

Philadelphia hosts Charlotte on Monday. Nine of the Sixers' final 14 games of the regular season are at home.

--Field Level Media