The NBA is full of surprises, especially in the postseason. On Wednesday night, Philadelphia 76ers veteran Nic Batum turned into one to the chagrin of the Miami Heat, who squandered a 12-point halftime lead and allowed the Sixers to get away with a 105-104 come-from-behind win,
Batum was instrumental in the Sixers’ erasing the Heat’s big lead and taking over the game. The 35-year-old forward came off the bench and fired 20 points while firing several 3-pointers that helped shift the tide toward Philly’s favor in the second half. Batum, who averaged just 5.5 points per game back in the regular season, scattered 17 of his points in the final two quarters of the Heat game, including five triples.
But it wasn’t just his offense that benefited the Sixers greatly. Batum also played fantastic defense,as noted after the game by Tyrese Maxey.
“[Batum] has guarded the smallest guys like Trae Young to the tallest man in the NBA like Wemby. His defensive versatility is second to none. Tonight he guarded Herro, Butler, Bam, what’s he’s done for this team has been remarkable,” Maxey said, per Daniel Olinger of the Rights To Ricky Sanchez Podcast.
Fans React to Nic Batum’s Heroic Performance in Philadelphia 76ers’ Win vs. Heat
“just started watching basketball last night the league is in good hands with keon ellis and nic batum,” said X user @steven_lebron, who also referred to another playoff surprise performer in the Sacramento Kings guard.
“can’t believe nic batum just murdered the hardest working, best conditioned, most professional, unselfish, toughest, meanest, nastiest team in the NBA,” said @kathryngimborys.
“a nic batum game that made me think of brandon roy,” shared @WorldWideWob. Brandon Roy, of course, was Batum’s former teammate with the Portland Trail Blazers.
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