Ivica Zubac made the Los Angeles Lakers realize what silly mistake they made by trading him for the LA Clippers this week after a thrilling debut for his new club.
Ivica Zubac made his debut in the Los Angeles Clippers jersey as the starting center against the Boston Celtics. The Clippers managed an incredible return in the second half to celebrate 123-112 away in Boston, reports T.portal on February 10, 2019.
In the first half, the Celtics had the biggest advantage of 26 points, and in the second half, they entered +21.
However, the Clippers were up 32 (70-38) in the second half, with the Croatian center helping them claim the victory with 12 points, nine rebounds and three blocks.
Recall, the promising young Croatian center no longer plays alongside the best basketballer in the world.
Namely, the two teams from Los Angeles, the Clippers and Lakers, arranged a trade, which affected Zubac. The LA Lakers sent Zubac and Michael Beasly to the LA Clippers in exchange for Mike Muscala, the former Philadelphia 76ers wing center. By sending two players for one, the Lakers have released one place in the roster, which can be filled with players in the buyout market. As it is known, some teams waive players or pay off their contract to open a place in their roster. One of the players suspected of completing the Lakers roster is Carmelo Anthony.
The new Lakers player Mike Muscala is averaging less than eight points and five rebounds this season, with a shot below 40 percent, which is very weak for the wing center.
Zubac this season, however, averaged 8.5 points for the Lakers, with 3.9 rebounds, and in the last few weeks, he was particularly useful on the court. The 21-year-old is in his third NBA season and had spent all of them with the Lakers so far, who chose him in the 2016 draft as the 32nd choice.
Mario Hezonja started for the New York's Knicks and scored seven points with nine rebounds, two assists and steal, though it wasn’t enough to avoid the Knicks 16th consecutive defeat. Toronto celebrated 104-99 at Madison Square Garden.
Bojan Bogdanović continued in great form for the Pacers, and with 23 points, he led Indiana to their fifth consecutive win, defeating the Cleveland Cavaliers 105-90. Split native Ante Žižić managed three points with three rebounds and one assist for the Cavs.
Ivica Zubac’s new team will meet Dario Šarić’s Minnesota Timberwolves on Monday, while Dragan Benders Phoenix Suns will meet the Sacramento Kings. The Pacers will match the Hornets next, while Hezonja’s New York Knicks will face Ante Žižić’s Cavaliers.
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