Sizing Up the Sixers (1-5):Since gathering at Stockton University for training camp three weeks ago, the 76ers have enjoyed some highs, and endured some adversity. When practices began, the team was finally presented with the opportunity to see – actually playing in uniform – two elite prospects of immense intrigue. At the same time, a number one draft pick and several new veterans were being worked into the fold, too.As promising as these developments were, the Sixers also found themselves confronted with a rash of injuries, including one to the aforementioned top selection in this year's draft, plus another sustained by the point guard who was projected to start opening night.Needless to say, the 2016 pre-season has been an eventful one. Friday, the Sixers wrap up their seven-game exhibition slate with a road tilt in Miami at 7:30 PM EST. They'll do so on the heels of an extensive lay-off, having last played on Saturday in a 97-76 loss to Detroit. Since then, the Sixers have held practice sessions each of the last four days. Brett Brown made sure the time was spent purposefully. “We have a theme that I would not want public, but each day, I've explained what we're going to do – this is your week, fellas, Monday through Thursday,” Brown said earlier this week. “We've chosen different parts of whatever we're trying to do, so we can go play an NBA game, with the end game being we want to get ready for opening night. We're starting to get ready for opening night.”Opening the pre-season against Boston in Amherst, Massachusetts on October 4th, the Sixers grinded their way to a three-point come-from-behind victory. The club has been dealt defeats in each of its five outings that have followed, with its last three setbacks coming by an average margin of 24.0 points. A clean performance Friday is the goal.”I think the last three games we haven't played well,” said Joel Embiid, averaging 10.3 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 14.1 minute in six outings. “We've been working a lot on defense.”With transition defense being a specific point of emphasis, given that Russell Westbrook and Oklahoma City loom next Wednesday, when the regular season begins.Like Embiid, Dario Saric is going through the first preseason of his NBA career. He believes the Sixers will benefit from the extensive work they have put in in recent days.”I think yes, because we are young team,” the 22-year old Croatian said. “We got so many good players who can play, and I think we need it, this hard practice, and when the season come.”But before then, one final tune-up awaits. Sizing Up the Heat (4-3):For as much rest as the Sixers will have heading into Friday's contest, Miami will be forced to deal with a quick turnaround. The Heat played in Charlotte on Thursday, sustaining a 96-88 loss.Entering his ninth campaign as Miami's head coach, Erik Spoelstra will oversee a roster that underwent considerable change this off-season. On the heels of losing LeBron James two summers ago, the Heat watched Dwyane Wade sign with his hometown Chicago Bulls this July. Miami also parted ways with Chris Bosh, who has been dealing with blood clot issues the past two years. Series History:The Sixers dropped each of their three match-ups with Miami last season, doing so by scores of 96-91, 112-102, and 103-98.Robert Covington generated 18.3 points per game in the series, and connected on a total of eight three-point field goals. Hassan Whiteside averaged 15.3 points and 13.7 rebounds in three pairings versus the Sixers. He also amassed 17 total blocks. Notes and Quotes:*** Jahlil Okafor has been listed as doubtful for the Sixers' pre-season finale versus Miami. The third selection of the 2015 draft has yet to appear in an exhibition outing, due to ongoing right knee rehab. “Obviously it doesn't get easier,” said Okafor Thursday. “I'm doing all the right stuff. I wanted to see me back out there sooner, but I can't rush my body, I can't rush my health. That's something I've learned being with the organization.”*** Speaking of Okafor, Brett Brown made clear that he is keeping two objectives in mind in respect to the second-year center's defensive progress. The first area of focus is transition defense, while the second revolves around defending pick-and-roll sets. “He's in those two things the most,” Brown said Thursday. “I think he's going to have a great year, and I think he's especially going to be significantly improved defensively, because his body tells me he can do it. I think his mind and learning NBA stuff…is going to give him a much better starting point.” *** Following the Sixers' final exhibition contest Friday, Brett Brown, his staff, and the front office will have some decisions to make. The team's roster will need to be trimmed from 19 players (accounting for Elton Brand's impending retirement at the end of the pre-season) to 15 by October 24th.When evaluating personnel, Brown tends to assign greater weight to broader impressions that have emerged over an extended period of time. “I don't really remember in all my where something dramatic happened on the last . We've got a team 30 minutes down the road that we can just send people to and really tap into that. Follow Along:
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