In a tightly contested Ligue Nationale de Basket Pro B clash on June 4, 2026, Nantes secured a hard-fought 83-80 road victory over Poitiers. The match, played at the Salle Jean‑Pierre Garnier, showcased the intensity of the French second‑division playoffs race, with both teams trading baskets until the final buzzer. Nantes outlasted Poitiers in a game defined by clutch perimeter shooting and defensive stops in the closing minutes.

Match Overview and Key Moments

Poitiers opened the game with energy, using a 10‑2 run in the first quarter to establish a slim lead. However, Nantes responded with a balanced scoring attack, tying the game at 42‑42 by halftime. The third quarter saw the visitors take control behind sharp shooting from beyond the arc, building a 65‑58 advantage heading into the fourth.

Poitiers refused to back down in the final period. A 9‑0 run, fueled by fast‑break points and aggressive drives, brought the home team to within 74‑73 with four minutes remaining. But Nantes showed composure, hitting critical free throws and securing an offensive rebound that led to a dagger three‑pointer with under a minute left. Poitiers had a chance to force overtime, but a contested three‑pointer at the buzzer rimmed out, sealing the 83‑80 victory for Nantes.

Tactical Story: Perimeter Defense and Second‑Chance Points

The game swung on Nantes’ ability to disrupt Poitiers’ pick‑and‑roll offense. By switching on screens and pressuring ball handlers, Nantes forced 14 turnovers, converting them into 17 points. On the offensive end, Nantes connected on 10 of 25 three‑point attempts (40%), while Poitiers managed only 8 of 27 (30%). The rebounding battle was nearly even, but Nantes grabbed eight offensive boards, leading to 12 second‑chance points that proved decisive.

Standout Players

• Nantes: Guard Jérémy Nzeulie led all scorers with 22 points, including 4 three‑pointers, and added 5 assists. Forward Miralem Halilović contributed a double‑double with 14 points and 12 rebounds, anchoring the interior.
• Poitiers: Shooting guard David Thomas poured in 21 points on efficient 8‑of‑14 shooting, while point guard Marcos Suka‑Umu dished out 8 assists. Center Boris Eyaga grabbed 11 rebounds but was limited to 8 points due to foul trouble.

Impact on the Season and Standings

With the win, Nantes improved to 20‑12 on the season, strengthening their position in the top four of the Pro B standings and solidifying their playoff seeding. Poitiers fell to 17‑15, missing a chance to climb into the top six. The defeat leaves Poitiers in a precarious spot with just three games remaining in the regular season, needing wins to secure a postseason berth.

This head‑to‑head result also gave Nantes a valuable tiebreaker advantage over Poitiers, as the teams split their season series 1‑1. For Nantes, the victory was a statement of resilience on the road ahead of the playoffs.