We knew the hookers, responsible for the sidelines in rugby, or the kickers in American football, responsible for kicking. There is now Nicolas Batum, the Sixers throw-in man. Friday against the Cavs, the Frenchman was in uniform but was not expected to take part in the match, since he is still bothered by his adductor muscles. He finally came into play for three tiny, but oh so precious seconds to secure the victory for Philadelphia.
The Sixers were going to be very scary in money time. Leading by eight points with thirty seconds to go, they only led by three points five seconds later with three free throws offered on a board, then a throw-in from Tobias Harris which turned into panic and two new express points in Cleveland.
“Our best player for throw-ins”
Enough to push Nic Nurse to bring in his French Swiss army knife, on one leg but with one mission. “ Nico is our best player to take throw-ins“, explained the Philadelphia coach. “ My assistants didn't want me to do it, but I convinced them to make him dress, and I promised it would be just to put the ball in play. He wouldn't even have to step on the land and we would take it out immediately. »
The plan went wonderfully. With a touch to make in the middle of the field, Nicolas Batum did not tremble to find Tyrese Maxey in his own half, with a lobbed but assured pass. Enough to free up the field at his back to provoke the intentional foul and free throws to complete the affair. “ It was crazy » Cam Payne had fun after the match. “ Nico was on the sidelines and he was saying 'this is what I do, this is what I do. I take the ball at the end of the matches'. And he took the ball, made the throw-in and it was all going from there. »
“It was crazy, because Nico was on the sideline [saying], 'This is what I do. This is what I do. I take the ball at the end of the games.'”
Cam Payne on Nico Batum being subbed in during the final minute to make one inbound pass: pic.twitter.com/DQKQeBmoYQ
— Daniel Olinger (@dan_olinger) February 24, 2024
In three seconds of play, Nicolas Batum did not have time to darken his statistical line, with the exception of a +/- of +2. The only number that mattered. This success at the finish is all the more important for the Sixers, still deprived of Joel Embiid, against a direct opponent for the Top 4 in the East, and to resist the return of Miami and Orlando, seventh and eighth, with only two late victories.
