February 23, 2020 - LA Clippers’ center Ivica Zubac recorded a season-high 15 rebounds in the Clippers loss to the Sacramento Kings on Saturday. 

The Clippers lost to the Sacramento Kings 103:112 in Los Angeles. Ivica Zubac, the Croatian center in the Clippers jersey, recorded 8 points, 15 rebounds, two assists, and one block in 20 minutes on the court, setting a new record for rebounds recorded in a single game this season.  

Zubac was just two points shy of a double-double. However, he has only scored double-digits once in the last ten games for the Clippers. 

Hustle points.

Make that a season-high 15 rebounds for @ivicazubac. ?? pic.twitter.com/8DzsRHZozc

— LA Clippers (@LAClippers) February 22, 2020

Kawhi Leonard scored 31 points, while Sacramento was led by Kent Bazemore with 23 points, and De'Aaron Fox and Bogdan Bogdanovic with 20 points each.

Croatia’s best basketball player Bojan Bogdanovic had one of his weaker nights in the NBA, and the Utah Jazz lost to Houston 110:120.

Donovan Mitchell was the best for Utah with 31 points, while Bogdanovic scored 12 points in 36 minutes on the court with a poor shots in play ratio of 3/10, adding six rebounds. Houston was led by James Harden with 38 points and Russell Westbrook with 34 points.

After a long time, Zizic and Saric returned to the court.

The currently worst Eastern Conference team, the Cleveland Cavaliers, lost to Miami 105:124. The Cavs center Ante Zizic scored 7 points in 8:35 minutes on the court for the Cavs after a long time.

On Saturday night, the Heat retired the jersey of Dwyane Wade, a Miami player who has participated in All-Star meetings 13 times and won the championship title three times.

The Phoenix Suns defeated the Chicago Bulls 112:104. Dario Saric played just under five minutes for the Suns, recording one rebound and one assist. Recall, Dario Saric had not played a single game in February due to an ankle injury. Before his injury, Saric was averaging career-low points per game this season. 

Source: Index.hr

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December 10, 2019 - Croatian basketball player Dario Saric scored 20 points in the Phoenix Suns victory, Bojan Bogdanovic scored 13 points in the Utah Jazz loss, and Ivica Zubac contributed 13 points to the triumph of his LA Clippers. 

HRT reports that the Phoenix Suns defeated the Minnesota Timberwolves 125:109 on Monday and Saric just missed another double-double. In addition to the 20 points he scored in 32 minutes on the court, scoring 7/11 shots in play (three-pointers 2/6), he also recorded nine rebounds, one assist, and one steal.

Dario trajo la energía esta noche

20 PTS
9 REB
1 STL@dariosaric | #SomosPHX pic.twitter.com/bfuJVUqScF

— Los Suns (@lossuns) December 10, 2019

Devin Booker was the top scorer of the winning team with 26 points, and Kelly Oubre Jr. scored 24 points on his 24th birthday. Karl-Anthony Towns led Minnesota with 33 points and 15 rebounds. 

The Oklahoma City Thunder was better than the Utah Jazz 104:90, and Bojan Bogdanovic played 32 minutes and scored 13 points with a poor four shots in play from 17 attempts (three-pointers 3/7). Bogdanovic added five rebounds and one steal.

Dennis Schroder led Oklahoma with 27 points, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander added 20 and Chris Paul 16, while Utah's top scorer was Donovan Mitchell, who finished the game with 26 points. This is Utah's sixth defeat in the last eight games.

Ivica Zubac's LA Clippers outscored the Indiana Pacers 110:99 at home. The most credited for the win was Paul George, who scored seven three-pointers against his former team for a total of 36 points.

Montrezl Harrell added 26 points and eight rebounds for the Clippers playing without an injured Kawhi Leonard, and Ivica Zubac recorded 13 points with eight rebounds, two assists and one block in 21 minutes on the court. Malcolm Brogdon was the best in Indiana with 20 points.

The Boston Celtics beat the Cleveland Cavaliers 110:88 at home. Kemba Walker scored 22 points for his team’s win, while the Cavaliers' best was Jordan Clarkson with 19 points. Ante Zizic played three minutes with two misses and no points scored.

The Milwaukee Bucks were better than the Orlando Magic 10:101 at home and reached their 15th straight win. Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 32 points for the Bucks and recorded 15 rebounds, while Khris Middleton added 20.

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November 6, 2019 - Croatian Heritage Night will be held during two different NBA games this season, at Madison Square Garden in New York and the Staples Center in Los Angeles. 

The NBA features a record number of Croatians this season, with seven taking the court to be exact. Thus, multiple times this season, we’ll find our players up against one another, which has prompted the creativity of certain teams. 

Namely, after the NY Knicks successfully hosted Croatian Heritage Night last season, which featured Klapa Astoria and folk dancing by Lindo when Mario Hezonja welcomed then Indiana Pacers’ star Bojan Bogdanovic, the NY club has announced the return of Croatian Heritage Night on November 18, 2019. 

“Join the New York Knicks for a Croatian Heritage Night on November 18th against the Cleveland Cavaliers and Ante Žižić! This offer provides special savings off of individual game tickets.

The first 300 purchasers from this link will receive a Croatian Heritage specialized t-shirt! After completing the simple checkout process, share your personal link with friends and family so they can join you at the game,” reads the description of the event,  which you can find more information about here. 

The LA Clippers have also caught the Croatian fever and announced their own Croatian Heritage Night after Christmas when Ivica Zubac faces the Croatia national team captain, Bojan Bogdanovic, and the Utah Jazz. 

“LA Clippers present Croatian Heritage Night: Saturday, December 28, 2019, vs. Utah Jazz at 7:30 PM. Order your tickets online, use promo code "CROATIAN", and receive a Commemorative Croatian Heritage Shirt. We look forward to seeing you at the game!”

Anyone interested in watching the Croatian clash at the Staples Centre next month can find more information here. 

The first Croatian Heritage Night hosted by the NY Knicks saw over 700 Croatians attend, so it'll be interesting to see what the new season brings. 

To read more about sport in Croatia, follow TCN’s dedicated page. 

October 19, 2019 - Croatia has never boasted more representatives in the world’s strongest basketball league than they have this season. However, the season ahead will also be decisive for the careers of our Croats in the NBA.

At first glance, one would think that Croatian basketball is a superpower, and that’s no surprise - in the upcoming season, they will have a record seven players in the NBA. This number is even higher than the world champions of Spain. But apart from Bojan Bogdanovic and Dario Saric, who else should be on our radar?

Gol.hr and Vid Horvat take a closer look at Croats in the NBA for the 2019/20 season.

Bojan Bogdanovic
(30 years old, 6 seasons, 19/20 contract worth $17 million)

Bojan Bogdanovic has been awarded the contract of a lifetime ($73 million over four years) and will have the opportunity to play an important role in a very serious Western Conference team, something he has never encountered thus far in his career. Bogdanovic should automatically enter the starting lineup as the small forward, where he can play alongside Jeff Green or Royce O'Neal, but he can also be used as a low four.

Why is this an excellent acquisition for Utah? Coach Quin Snyder has had issues with outside shooters in recent seasons and with virtually no one other than Ingles and Jae Crowder to shoot from outside the wing. Bojan was Indiana's biggest offensive threat last season after an injury to Victor Oladipo. He shot an incredible 42.5 percent for three-pointers and had a record average of 18 points per game.

Bogdanovic is an expressive shooter who can play without the ball in his hands, and Utah needs that. But his repertoire doesn't just stop at a three-point shot. Last year, he showed that he could be an effective mid-range shooter and is aggressive in counters. He even improved his pick and roll play, but still worked on it this summer. For the past three seasons, Bogdanovic has been part of a playoff team, but has never been surrounded by such good teammates.

Playing with Mike Conley and Donovan Mitchell with the possibility of adding a third ball-handler in the starting five offers plenty of options. Bogdanovic will be able to contribute to the team in many ways, but the most significant contribution is expected in the shooting department. 

Dario Saric
(26 years old, 4 seasons, 19/20 contract worth $3.5 million)

It is perhaps a pivotal NBA season for Saric, who is in the final year of his rookie contract. After Philadelphia, he was no longer part of a system he could take advantage of. Unlike the Wolves, Saric should be in a better position with the Phoenix Suns, though it will all depend on him. Unless he makes good use of the minutes given, he will quickly find himself in the rotation behind either Frank Kaminsky or Cameron Johnson.

Like in previous NBA seasons, Saric can fill the four position, where he is currently ahead of Kaminsky and Johnson. However, Saric did not do well with the Wolves and their offensive system, which favored pick and roll and had more critical players than him involved in the attack. But he finished the season with a percentage of 45.4 of shots in play and a three-pointer percentage of 38.3.

These numbers are welcome in Phoenix, but he needs continuity and to avoid slow entry, which has been the case in recent years. Why is this important? The threat to Saric's position is not only the high post, but also Kelly Oubre Jr., who played the best games in the Suns' jersey in the four position. This is one of the variants we can also expect. In that case, Mikal Bridges would fill the other wing.

The Suns finally have a playmaker, and that's the best news ahead of the new season. Ricky Rubio should make it easy for everyone, including Dario. Saric's virtues are imagination and low-post play, and if there is more of a team game than individual play, it should suit him. Because of his future contract, this season must be above average for Saric.

Ivica Zubac
(22 years old, 4 seasons, 19/20 contract worth $6.5 million)

No other Croatian basketball player profited from a trade like Ivica Zubac. He left the turbulent Lakers without having to change cities and eventually ended up in an elite squad who is a serious contender for the title, where the thinnest rotation is in his position. Specifically, Zubac should be the Clippers' starting center who won't be needed much on offense, and at the same time, be able to progress by playing alongside some of the best players in the league like Kawhi Leonard and Paul George.

Given that Montrezl Harrell and Lou Williams function brilliantly in the other starting five, Doc Rivers will not break the bench. This means that if he decides to go with the small-ball five, JaMychal Green will start instead of Zubac, who has a better three-point shot and more mobility than the Croatian center.

The good news is that Zubac has an enormous desire to thrive and work. He wanted to work with the Gasol brothers this summer, as he would like to one day play like Marc for the Toronto Raptors, primarily paying attention to rebounds, communication on defense, and expanding the court. Unfortunately, their schedules did not align. However, Zubac is already working on his three-point shot and has specific characteristics that can be exploited.

Among the 50 centers that defended at least 50 possessions last season, Zubac allowed the second-fewest points per possession and the second-lowest shot percentage. He is also offensively good at finishing around the hoop and can shoot from a distance. Still, as the Clippers enter the season as one of the biggest favorites for the title, the primary goal will not be player development, but finding the ideal starting five and rotations.

Mario Hezonja
(24 years old, 5 seasons, 19/20 contract worth $1.74 million)

It will be a fresh start for Hezonja, who is still young enough to fulfill his potential. But in Portland, things work a bit differently than with his former teams. For one, Hezonja has not been part of a playoff squad so far and has not played with such dominant players that build the offensive attacks. Hezonja will be part of the second lineup in which he will have enough minutes to become a standard part of the rotation and will not have two or three more players competing for his place.

However, he will need to hit more than the desperate three-pointer percentage of 27.6 and the modest 41 percent for shots in play he recorded with the Knicks. Both are among his worst statistics since he arrived in the NBA. Plus, he could have more than 1.5 assists per game, as he has shown he knows how to set up plays. Hezonja will not be the playmaker as he was for New York, but as a secondary playmaker from the wing positions.

In his first four NBA seasons, Hezonja played for two weak teams. This will be his first time to be among a better quality group of players, which means that constant changes in the rotation and inconsistency in minutes will be a thing of the past. Portland has a clear game system, which will undergo some adjustments, but the hierarchy is basically known.

Dragan Bender
(21 years old, 4 seasons, 19/20 contract worth $1.68 million)

Recall, Dragan Bender was close to the Euroleague and signed for CSKA, but found a spot at the Bucks in the final moments. The first reactions were not pleasant, and if he gets minutes, he’ll only be waiting for an open three-pointer shot. However, Bender is much more than that, and his talent should not be limited to a spot-up shooter or position player.

However, contrary to expectations, he made good use of the minutes gained in the preseason. Milwaukee has not made radical changes and has retained much of last year’s lineup. But Bender is at the turning point of his career and must prove himself on a contract that is only partially guaranteed this season and not guaranteed next year.

The former fourth pick of the 2016 draft is currently consistent with the opportunities he has been receiving. He scored double-digits in his first four preseason games. He averaged 13 points with shots in play percentage of 60.7 and an astounding 53.8 three-pointer percentage in just over 18 minutes on the court. When we add six more rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.5 blocks per game, we get his best career numbers. But these are just preseason games.

Bender has a few players ahead of him in the four and five positions and is unlikely to get more minutes than Ersan Ilyas, who is among Budenholzer's favorites. However, the Bucks' system suits Bender so far, and he can get his chance. 

Ante Zižic
(22 years old, 3 seasons, 19/20 contract worth $2.28 million)

During his final interview with general manager Koby Altman after the season, Ante Zizic was given a summer plan that presented a path that would eventually break Cleveland's deep rotation in high positions, more specifically at the center. Because despite their weak roster, the Cavs have by far the most players who can cover the starting lineup, like Tristan Thompson, Kevin Love, Larry Nance Jr. and John Henson.

Considering that Love will be the starting four, there are again four players who need to split 48 minutes in the center. It will be important for Zizic not to look deep into the rotation, but to focus on himself. He will have to be ready to step up to any situation. According to recent information, he has worked hard this summer to get physically fit.

Last season, Zizic was at one point one of Cleveland's most productive players, but that was primarily due to injuries and the space that opened up. As soon as the Cavs were complete, Zizic lost his role. It's not going to be easy this year either, because there aren't many advantages over Thompson and Nance Jr.

Luka Samanic
(19 years old, rookie season, 19/20 contract worth $2.69 million)

Samanic is a gifted player who has arrived in the best possible environment to thrive. The San Antonio Spurs are known for their program with young players and recognizing talented Europeans, while during the Summer League, Samanic showed he has the potential to work with and meet modern requirements. Admittedly, Samanic has made a significant transition in his career. He went from the ABA league to the strongest league in the world and is expected to be gradually introduced into the process.

The former Barcelona and Olimpija player will need time to develop, and will begin in the G-League with the Austin Spurs. However, it is not impossible to see him on the first-team bench for the first time. His style of play is similar to Lauri Markkanen's, a great example of how modern wing center should look. Both are light on their feet, have proper shooting mechanics, and can expand the court. 

Samanic has already shown the prospect of one day becoming an outstanding shooter, but there are more elements to work on. To fulfill his potential, he will need to be able to put up solid blocks, be dangerous with the ball, and hit open shots for three-pointers. In addition, he showed aggression in his dribbling and is quick in catch-and-shoot situations. For starters, it will be important to gain mass and transition as painlessly as possible.

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Two days ago, Mario Hezonja became only the second Croatian basketball player after Toni Kukoč to hit a triple-double in the NBA league. Now, he’s set a new career record. 

Mario Hezonja played another great game in the New York Knicks jersey. The Croatian basketball player found a place in the starting lineup and made his debut as a point guard for the New York club. But better yet, he also achieved the first triple-double of his career against James Harden's Houston Rockets, reports Gol.hr on April 6, 2019. 

Apart from making his debut as the Knicks’ point guard on Friday night, with a spot in the starting five, Mario Hezonja achieved the first triple-double of his career with 16 points, 16 rebounds and 11 assists. The Knicks’ might have lost to the Houston Rockets (120:96), but it’ll be a game Hezonja will remember for a lifetime.

"Super Mario" has thus become only the second player in Knicks’ history with at least 16/16/11 in a single game. Before he was only Richie Guerin in 1957. It was also the first triple-double of a Knicks’ player after Jarrett Jack’s on January 11, 2018, and he even became the first Croatian after Toni Kukoč with a triple-double performance. 

"He had a great game, organized us, called for real attacks, attacked when he had to attack and did a great job on rebounds,” Knicks coach David Fizdale said.

Harden had a relatively quiet evening for his standards lately. He still scored 26 points and eight assists in just 29 minutes on the court, while Chris Paul (11 points, 10 assists) and Clint Capela (12 points, 15 rebounds) achieved double-doubles.

Hezonja was given a chance to start as the point guard as Emmanuel Mudiay is out for a left shoulder injury. Hezonja showed he was indeed worthy of his spot on the Knicks' team. 

Dario Šarić scored 19 points (4/6 for two-pointers, 2/4 for three-pointers, 5/5 free throws) in the Minnesota Timberwolves' win against Miami Heat (111:109).

Ante Žižić scored 12 points with six rebounds in the Cleveland Cavaliers' close defeat to the Western Conference leader Golden State Warriors, led by Steph Curry with 40 points, seven assists and six rebounds. The Warriors celebrated 120:114.

Dragan Bender’s Phoenix Suns won against the New Orleans Pelicans after extra time 133:126 (117-117). The Croatian scored 11 points and added six assists and 10 rebounds. The most efficient was Jackson with 35 points, nine assists and five rebounds.

Ivica Zubac scored 11 points in the derby of the Los Angeles Clippers and Los Angeles Lakers and added eight rebounds. 

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The Los Angeles Clippers celebrated at Madison Square Garden against the New York Knicks 124:113 in the first match of the Sunday NBA program. In the battle of two Croatian basketball players, Clippers’ center Ivica Zubac was better than Marijo Hezonja, reports Index.hr on March 24, 2019. 

Both were members of their team’s starting lineup on Sunday. Zubac spent 20 minutes in the game, and during that time scored 10 points with 4/5 shots in play, ten rebounds, one assist, and one block. Hezonja was on the court for 25 and a half minutes, scoring six points (2/9 shots in play, 0/3 three-pointers), and added five rebounds, three assists, and one block.

The Clippers’ 44th win this season was led by Lou Williams who scored 29 points and seven assists, Danilo Gallinari with 26 points and eight rebounds and Montrezl Harrell with 24 points. In their 60th defeat this season, Knight Emmanuel Mudiay scored 26 points, and DeAndre Jordan had 20 points and 13 rebounds for the Knicks. 

The Clippers have almost and theoretically secured the playoffs while New York is at the bottom of the charts with convincingly the worst record in the NBA league this season.

In other NBA news, the Minnesota Timberwolves and Dario Šarić defeated the Memphis Grizzlies 112:99, while the Croatian basketball player participated with 11 points (shots in play 3/9, three-pointers 3/6), four rebounds, three assists, and one steal and one block.

The top scorer for Minnesota, which broke a series of five defeats, was Karl-Anthony Towns with 33 points and 23 rebounds. Andrew Wiggins added 22 points and Josh Okogie 17. Mike Conley led Memphis with 23 points.

The Phoenix Suns and Dragan Bender recorded another defeat over the weekend, losing 112:103 to the Sacramento Kings. Bender, who played in the starting lineup, hit four baskets (shots in play 2/6, three-pointers 0/3) in 36 minutes on the court, adding four rebounds, two assists, and two steals.

Bojan Bogdanović had another stellar game over the weekend, scoring 35 points in his Pacers’ win against the Denver Nuggets on Sunday. The Croatian also added six rebounds and three assists. Ante Žižić’s Cleveland Cavaliers lost to the Milwaukee Bucks 127:105. 

To read more about sport in Croatia, follow TCN’s dedicated page. 

Bojan Bogdanović continued leading his Indiana Pacers with excellent form in the Eastern Conference before the playoffs.

Bojan Bogdanović played another great game on Wednesday night and was the most effective in the defeat of his Indiana Pacers, while Dario Šarić and Ivica Zubac had a substantial impact for their NBA teams. 

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.