Defending any position, rebounding, hitting quick-trigger threes, moving the ball well, making incredible inbounds passes... Nicolas Batum has been doing so much at both ends of the floor for the Sixers all season. He’s been an ideal high-level, two-way role player to complement the team around Joel Embiid, and Wednesday’s play-in win was a perfect showcase of what Batum’s brought to Philadelphia.
The Sixers’ 105-104 win against win the Heat, a victory to secure their spot in the playoffs for a first-round matchup against the Knicks, became The Nico Batum Game.
Following a quiet first half as the Sixers struggled mightily in general against the Heat’s defense and zone usage, Batum exploded with 17 points in the second half to finish the game with 20 points (7-of-12 shooting), five rebounds (two offensive), and the game-sealing block.