"Best" and "Worst" awards: 76ers vs. Nuggets

DENVER – My look at some of the best and worst performances and happenings from the 76ers' 99-85 victory over the Denver Nuggets on Wednesday night at the Pepsi Center:

Best performance: This was a tough one. Make that an extremely tough one. But I had to give this to Nerlens Noel despite Robert Covington finishing with a career-high 25 points while making six three-pointers for the Sixers. Noel, however, is the one who led the Sixers to victory. The rookie center finished with 14 points, four blocks and game highs of 15 rebounds and four steals.

Worst performance: This has to go to Randy Foye. The Nuggets shooting guard finished with five points on 2-for-7 shooting. He was 1 of 6 on three-pointers and three rebounds and two turnovers.

Best defensive performance: This award goes to Noel even though Jerami Grant blocked a game-high five shots.  Noel gets it because he did more than just record blocks. In addition to his four steals, he had 11 defensive rebounds and altered several shots.

Best performance in a losing effort: Wilson Chandler wins this award on a night when he missed 10 of his 14 shots. His four makes came on eight  three-point attempts. He also finished with 16 points and 11 rebounds.

Worst statistic: You have to give this to the Sixers' foul shooting, once again. They made just 15 of 22 free throws (68.2 percent).

Best statistic: This award goes to the Sixers' blocked shots. They had 12.

Worst of the Worst:  This goes to the Nuggets' fourth-quarter performance. They made just 4 of 22 shots in the final quarter en route to being outscored, 27-9.

Contact and follow Inquirer 76ers beat writer Keith Pompey on Twitter @PompeyOnSixers and on Instagram at PompeyOnSixers