It’s not as though the Sixers are winning based on luck or lack of a solid schedule. Their statistics validate their 16-6 record, and make them a legitimate threat to win the Eastern conference this season. We all know that Philly has the scorers to keep pace each time they take the court, but the difference this season has been their attention to defense. The Sixers rank first in the NBA in points allowed with a ridiculous 85.9 point per game average. They may be ninth in scoring, but their 11+ point differential makes them the best in the league at outscoring opponents.

It all starts with guard play for the Sixers. After several years of not getting much production out of that position, Philly has a solid tandem that will keep themin the hunt for years to come. Lou Williams and Jrue Holiday combine for nearly 30 points and over 8 assists per contest. That combined with the 13 points and 5 assists that All-Star Andre Iguodala pours in on a nightly basis makes for a tremendous base to what is an extremely deep and well-rounded team. Philly is the only team in the league that has 6 players averaging in double-figures on a nightly basis, and will continue to succeed as long as they remain healthy.

This is a perfect opportunity for the Sixers to display their skills as they take on the mighty Miami Heat at home Friday night. Prior to the start of the year, many basketball experts anointed the Heat as the team to beat in the East, and a virtual shoe-in to make it to the NBA Finals. Chicago and Philly are both showing that they have something to say about that. Despite have what many call the “dream team”, Miami has flaws that make them vulnerable.

Having two of the most prolific scorers in the league on the same team often becomes counterproductive as there are not enough shots to go around. LeBron James and Dwayne Wade individually are phenomenal, but they often look confused when on the court together. This may be Wade’s team, bit LeBron is showing why he’s the king as he is putting up some ridiculous numbers thus far, and is leading the way in the MVP race. James fills up the stat sheet like no other in the NBA. He’s currently averaging nearly 30 points, over 8 rebounds and 7 assists per game, and is the main focus of opposing teams every time Miami hits the floor. Philly will need to do their best to contain James Friday if they are to keep this one close, but locking down the rest of the Heat’s starting 5 may be enough to get the job done.

NBA handicappersare listing the Heat as 2.5 point road favorites against the Sixers. This number is based on the public’s perception and not necessarily on how these teams match-up. Tune in Friday for what promises to be a highly contested battle between 2 of the top 3 teams in the Eastern conference.

Le Toux was selected by the Union in the 2009 MLS expansion draft and quickly became the most productive offensive player on the team, scoring 14 goals with 11 assists in 2010. For his efforts, Le Toux was voted to the MLS Best XI and was named Philadelphia’s first All-Star selection. He started every match last season, scoring 11 goals with nine assists.

With Spencer Hawes and Nikola Vucevic out with injury, and Marreese Speights shipped to Memphis earlier this season, the Sixers were in desperate need for a big man. Since Vooch went down with a leg injury against the Heat Tony Battie and Lavoy Allen have been receiving significant minutes in the front court, leaving the Sixers vulnerable on the glass, which explains the team’s abysmal rebounding numbers in Wednesday’s loss against the Nets.

The opponent has yet to be determined, though MLS Commissioner Don Garber said that an answer should come in the next two months.

“We have nothing specific yet,” Garber said after a news conference at Philadelphia City Hall. “We’re hoping to have something soon, within 60 days. That’s the plan.”

Garber appeared at the news conference with Union CEO Nick Sakiewicz, Philadelphia mayor Michael Nutter and Chester, Pa., mayor John Linder.

Last year’s game was held at Red Bull Arena in Harrison, N.J., and featured top MLS players taking on Manchester United.

PPL Park is located in nearby Chester, along the Delaware River.

In their two seasons of existence, the Union have been among the league leaders in attendance. That factor, along with the soccer-specific stadium and rabid interest by the “Sons of Ben” supporters group, played into the league’s decision.

“It’s a passionate franchise with passionate fans and one of the greatest small stadiums around,” Garber said. “We think the franchise and the stadium are deserving of this event, and we believe this is going to be an incredible event not only for the fans here, but fans watching all over the world.”

The game will be broadcast on ESPN2, Galavision or Telefutura, and in Canada on TSN and RDS. ESPN International will make the game available in more than 130 countries. In addition, the game will be streamed online, and on ESPN3 and WatchESPN in the United States.

The Union averaged more than 19,000 fans per game in their inaugural season in 2010, and last year, attendance at PPL Park reached 99 percent capacity for regular-season games.

The game at PPL Park will be broadcast live at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN2, Galavision or Telefutura and in Canada on TSN and RDS.

“In many ways, when you see the Philadelphia 76ers, it’s like looking in a mirror,” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. “The athleticism, the speed, the activity they bring to the game. They brought virtually their entire core back and they seem much more comfortable.”

Evgeni Nabokov made sure of that, making 40 saves in the Islanders’ 4-1 victory over the Flyers on Thursday night.

Josh Bailey, Matt Moulson, Mark Streit and Michael Grabner scored to help the Islanders also break an eight-game losing streak against Philadelphia, which had won 23 of its previous 24 games against the Islanders.

The victory was the Islanders’ third in their last four games, and it marked the first time New York won in Philadelphia since April 7, 2007, a 4-2 victory.

“It was a good feeling, we haven’t much success, it’s been since ’07, I think, in April, the last time the Islanders have won here,” Islanders coach Jack Capuano said. “We played hard, but they came in the third and they came in waves, and I thought Nabby (Nabokov) was real good, but again, special teams were a big part of tonight’s game with the short-handed goal and the power-play goal late. We played (the Flyers) pretty good at home and we didn’t get the results, and it was good for the guys to get rewarded.”

English Premier League club Bolton Wanderers has made an offer for Le Toux and Union officials are seriously considering accepting it, according to reports from Fox Soccer and the Philadelphia Daily News. Le Toux, 28, trained with Bolton on Wednesday and could be on the club’s books by the end of the week. Because he was born in France, Le Toux won’t need a UK work permit.

“I know what the story is going to be now,” ESPN sideline announcer Al Morganti somberly told the viewing audience moments after the hit. “It will be whether or not he can ever play again.”

On Tuesday the team announced that its mascot of 15 years, Hip Hop, has “fallen in love, married, and will relocate to a rural part of Pennsylvania to start a family.” Actual quote from the team’s press release.

That is to say — ear muffs, kids — Hip Hop is out as 76ers mascot.

The always on-it Philadelphia Inquirer beat writer Kate Fagan spoke with new 76ers team owner Adam Aron about what apparently was a necessary change:

For a team that barely sells 40 to 50 tickets an hour during an actual season, that can be accurately described as a fevered response.

Aron and company haven’t fully committed to a new mascot, or even to who will design the team’s new child-frightener, but he did confirm that the team is in “advanced” discussions with Jim Henson’s Creature Shop, according to his interview with Fagan.