By Nikola Miloradovic / info@eurohoops.net
The Los Angeles Clippers made a statement with a great performance and a win over the team with the best record in the NBA, taking down the Cleveland Cavaliers at Intuit Dome.
Kawhi Leonard and James Harden did their thing, but it was Ivica Zubac and Bogdan Bogdanovic who made the difference for the winning side. Zubac had a monstrous performance with 28 points and 20 rebounds, while Bogdan Bogdanovic couldn’t miss, shooting 8-8 from the field and also dishing out seven assists.
The Croatian center talked to the press after the game, touching on his offensive growth and bigger contributions to the Clippers’ success.
“I enjoy scoring a lot, a lot. I think we all started playing basketball because of offense—everyone wants to score. But once you get to the league, there’s so much more. You’ve got to find your role. At the beginning, my role was different. Last year or so, they needed me to score. They wanted me in the post, and I was ready,” Zubac said.
He also praised Serbian national team captain Bogdanovic, who is starting to click with his new team after arriving from the Atlanta Hawks at the trade deadline.
“Whatever he’s been doing his whole career, you know, people in the NBA don’t really watch basketball thinking he’s just a shooter. He’s been playing and doing everything on the offensive end throughout his whole career for the national team in Europe. Now, people can see he’s more than just a shooter. He’s a great pick-and-roll player, very smart, his IQ is off the charts, and he works really hard. He’s a really good addition to our team.”
Zubac admits that having a fellow Balkan player is helping him.
“Speaking the same language really helps, especially on the floor. He gives me a lot of confidence, and I try to return the favor by pushing him to be aggressive. He does the same for me, and we’ve developed some chemistry in the pick and roll. We’re playing off each other, reading the game, and it’s really easy. So, I’d say him coming here has really made a difference for me,” Ivica Zubac concluded.
The LA Clippers are 39-30 and sitting eighth in the Western Conference standings, just one win away from the sixth spot that leads directly to the Playoffs.