Croatia’s basketball representatives in the NBA were brilliant again on Friday night, and 22-year-old Split native Ante Žižić had the score of his career. Namely, in the Cleveland Cavaliers loss to the Houston Rockets, Žižić scored 18 points, which is his career high, reports HRT on January 12, 2019. 

In the clash of the Indiana Pacers and the New York Knicks, Bojan Bogdanović’s scored 15 points in the Pacers’ win, while Mario Hezonja scored 10 points in the Knicks’ loss. Ivica Zubac also scored 10 points in the defeat of his Los Angeles Lakers, though Dario Šarić had the worst evening of them all, and went without a point in the loss of the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Ante Žižic for the Cavs

Cleveland, the last team in the Eastern Conference, did not have a chance against the Houston Rockets who beat them 141:113. Ante Žižić played 24 minutes and was the best scorer of his defeated team, scoring 18 points (shots in play 6/8) with eight rebounds and two steals.

Houston was led by their most efficient player James Harden, who scored 43 points, making it his 13th game where he scored over 40 points. In addition to last night's 'triple-double,' Harden recorded ten rebounds and 12 assists.

Bogdanović v. Hezonja

The Indiana Pacers and New York Knicks played at Madison Square Garden, though it was Bojan Bogdanvić's team to celebrate 121:106. Bogdanović was better than fellow countryman Mario Hezonja, scoring 15 points in 26 minutes (shots in play 5/12, three-pointers 3/5) with two rebounds, one assist, and one steal. Hezonja, the 23-year-old Dubrovnik native, played 30 minutes and achieved 10 points (shots in play 4/12, three-pointers 1/4), adding six rebounds, two assists, five steals, and one block.

Domantas Sabonis was the best shooter for the Pacers, with 22 points and 15 rebounds, while Victor Oladipo added 19 points. Emmanuel Mudiay was the best for New York, scoring all of his points (21) in the second half.

Dario Šarić goes without a single point

The Minnesota Timberwolves were defeated at home, and the Dallas Mavericks were better 119:115. Dario Šarić had one of his worst nights, and in his 19 minutes on the court, he went without a single point (shots in play 0/5, three-pointers 0/3), though he did achieve four rebounds and one assist.

The Dallas victory was marked by rookie player Luka Dončić who scored a three-pointer for the win 22.9 seconds before the end. He also scored 29 points and achieved 12 assists and eight rebounds. The Wolves were led by Karl-Anthony Towns who scored 30 points, 11 rebounds and four blocks.

Ivica Zubac continues to get playing time at the Lakers

The Utah Jazz won at home against the Los Angeles Lakers 113:95. Ivica Zubac played 14 minutes, scoring 10 points with five rebounds, one assist, and one block. Donovan Mitchell was the best for Utah with 33 points and nine assists, while Michael Beasley was the best for the Lakers with 17 points.

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

Croatian basketball player Bojan Bogdanović may have just become the highest paid athlete in Croatia.