Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra says Philadelphia 76ers 'totally different' team since addition of James Harden

MIAMI — As the Heat prepare for their Eastern Conference semifinal matchup against the Philadelphia 76ers, Erik Spoelstra knows his team must get ready to face a group that is «totally different than the team we played this year,» because of the addition of former MVP James Harden to the Sixers' lineup.

«He definitely changes the dynamic,» Spoelstra said after Friday's practice. «You're talking about an MVP player. A guy who can manipulate the game; he can hurt you whether he's scoring or whether he's assisting, or whether he's just manipulating the defense.»

This will mark the first time that Harden, who was acquired just before February's trade deadline from the Brooklyn Nets, will face the Heat as a member of the Sixers. Spoelstra knows that slowing down Harden and Sixers MVP candidate Joel Embiid will go a long way towards determining the winner of this series.

«They have two guys that really know how to draw fouls and do it exceptionally well,» Spoelstra said. «So you have to do things with great discipline, great focus, but you don't want to back off on your aggressiveness and that's that dance that we'll be wrestling with this series.»

Heat center Bam Adebayo is looking forward to the upcoming battle with Embiid and knows the key in stopping both stars is making sure they are feeling a defensive presence everywhere they go on the floor.

«Execution and timely times to be physical,» Adebayo said. «We realize we can't be physical with two dudes who shoot the most free throws as a duo.»

Always an outwardly confident group, the Heat know that they will have to stick to their defensive principles in order to win this series — especially with the way Embiid has been playing throughout the season.

«You're going to have to