Jared McCain scored 21 points to lead the Sixers in a nail-biting victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves in Las Vegas Summer League, 92-90.

Here's what I saw.

Likes

- These summer league game stories might as well be named the "Adem Bona Bulletin". There was no energetic positional battle like there was in Monday's loss to the Portland Trail Blazers. But, Bona was tasked with being the lone defender back in transition on a possession in which Minnesota had overwhelming numbers. He managed to block the first attempt at the rim. Sensational timing and focus from the rookie big man.

- This was arguably McCain's best game of either summer league even if his shooting numbers didn't make a leap. He was aggressive in hunting his three-point shot, pulling up for a deep one in primary transition early in the game and not shying away from deep attempts off the catch as the affair went on.

His shooting aggression wasn't the only positive sign. McCain's read of the floor showed flashes, too. After lacing the pull-up mentioned above, he came down the floor after grabbing the defensive rebound on Minnesota's ensuing possession, maintaining the pace with which he played when he notched the three-pointer. He didn't rush a heat check. Rather, McCain used his pace to survey whether his movement had any gravity with the Timberwolves' defense. Sensing he had no shooting gravity to exploit, McCain probed out of the ball screen briefly before passing off to a teammate and relocating to manufacture space.

That wasn't his only great read. He found Keve Aluma open in the middle of the floor, breaking the ball pressure with a bounce pass. Aluma, completely unaccounted for, drew help before dumping the ball off to Bona for a dunk.

- Ricky Council IV is so athletic that I trust he's going to find a way to chase down any pass up the court just in time for a powerful dunk.

- Hilariously, the Sixers took 44 free throws in this game. The spirit of Joel Embiid lives on, even if he's across the world preparing for the 2024 Olympics.

Dislikes

- I understand that Jeff Dowtin Jr. is the leader of this team and might be the best player on the roster. He's got to stop the over-dribbling.

- Seven fouls for Bona. Not abnormal for a rookie big man, but contesting is its own juggling act. You can't throw your body into a shooter and expect to get away with it just because your arms are up. You also have to be aware of the optics of a bigger body colliding with a smaller body in instances of bang-bang plays.

The Sixers (2-1) will face the San Antonio Spurs (2-0) on Friday. Tip-off is scheduled for 8:30 p.m., Eastern time. You can watch the game on NBA TV.