LA Clippers: Ivica Zubac shows he can stay tough vs. big lineups

The LA Clippers didn’t come out on top in Game 5, but Ivica Zubac gave Clippers fans a reason for optimism moving forward.

The Dallas Mavericks started out with a bigger lineup in Game 5 vs. the LA Clippers, most likely in hopes of drawing Ivica Zubac into the game.

In theory, they could find ways to draw Zubac to switch onto Doncic in the pick-and-roll game. They’ve had success with that matchup earlier in the series. They would in turn hope that the Clippers wouldn’t be able to continue to go small and force Kristaps Porzingis to leave the bottom of the key when the Mavs are on defense.

While the Clippers didn’t win the contest, Zubac looked very solid when he was out there.

Former Clipper Boban Marjanovic was the new addition to the Mavericks’ starting lineup, and despite him looking good, Zubac held his own when he was in the game.

Zubac, who’s 7’0,” didn’t let the 7’4″ Marjanovic push him around. In fact, he even threw it down on the bigger center for an and-1 down low.

Zubac converted both his field goals, and knocked down two of three free throws in the contest.

The best part was that he secured 11 rebounds. Those 11 rebounds led the team. Zubac also didn’t give an inch on defense; even having a really nice block on a shot attempt by Dorian Finney-Smith.

The Mavericks won with Boban starting, but Zubac proved that he can come in and play well when the Mavericks try to use him to draw mismatches.

Zubac has bounced back in this series. He can handle the Mavs’ bigs.