Sixers Taking No Chances With Williams & Holiday

The 76ers said it was a precautionary measure, but Lou Williams and Jrue Holiday both took place in only non-contract drills during Thursday's practice.

Williams is nursing a left hamstring strain and Holiday a left Achilles strain.

Both players said that if there were a game that they could have played.

"It's nothing to be worried about now," Williams said. "Right now we want to be prepared for the games and lot of these days are reviews and more thinking instead of getting up and down the court anyway"

Added Holiday: "It was a little sore and coach didn't want to take the risk of anything."

The Sixers will have a hard practice on Friday, take off on Saturday and then work out Sunday evening after landing in Portland in preparation for Monday's opener with the Trail Blazers.

With a condensed schedule that includes 66 games in four months, don't be surprised if a lot of preventive maintenance is used and players are given more days off than usual this season.

Click here for video of Jrue Holiday talking about his injury.

Below is video of Lou Williams.