76ers' Nerlens Noel: Posts 16 points, nine boards off bench Friday

Noel recorded 16 points (7-9 FG, 2-4 FT) and nine rebounds in 27 minutes during the 76ers' 113-88 loss versus the Hornets.

Noel came off the bench in this one, as 76ers' coach Brett Brown elected to start Robert Covington at the four against a Hornets' small-ball starting lineup that featured Marvin Williams at power forward. Noel and rookie Jahlil Okafor haven't meshed that well on either end of the floor early on, and it's possible Brown will continue to stagger the minutes of his two young big men, especially when opponents go small. Still, even if coming off the bench becomes the norm, Noel is likely to receive plenty of playing time going forward.