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    Sixers

    How Nic Batum and the Sixers broke through Miami's zone defense

    Kyle Neubeck Avatar
    Kyle Neubeck
    April 18, 2024
    Nic Batum rising up for a jumper against the Miami Heat in the play-in.
    Apr 17, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia 76ers forward Nicolas Batum (40) shoots over Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo (13) during the fourth quarter of a play-in game of the 2024 NBA playoffs at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

    Weeks of good vibes came crashing down for the Sixers in less than a half on Wednesday when the Miami Heat used a zone to beat them into submission. Hold on, what year is it again?

    Let's get right to what will go down in the books as The Nic Batum game.

    The main thing — halftime adjustments

    Wednesday's third quarter was a make-or-break moment — folding would have meant their best-case scenario was a first-round matchup against the alpha dog of the conference in Boston.

    When a team has a fundamental breakdown to the extent that the Sixers did against Miami in the first half, you can bet some passive aggressiveness is coming from the head coach. Yes, even after a win.

    "Well, w...

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