Croats in NBA: Bogdanovic Leads Jazz, Saric Records Double-Double in Win Against Zubac

October 27, 2019 – Bojan Bogdanovic led Utah Jazz to a win against the Sacramento Kings, while Dario Saric recorded a double-double in the Suns’ win against Ivica Zubac’s LA Clippers. 

Nine NBA games were played on Saturday night, of which the biggest surprise happened in Phoenix, where the Suns topped the favored Los Angeles Clippers 130:122.

Index.hr reports that it was a duel of two Croatian national team players as Dario Saric and Ivica Zubac hit the court. Saric had the better evening and finished the game with a double-double (15 points and 10 rebounds) in 34 minutes on the court, while Zubac added 7 points and five rebounds in 15 minutes, but only hit a weak one of four shots in play. 

.@dariosaric tonight:
15 PTS
10 REBS
3 ASTS
2 STLS pic.twitter.com/ELz8PEmyFg

— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) October 27, 2019

The Suns’ best was Devin Booker with 30 points, six rebounds and eight assists, while Kawhi Leonard led the Clippers with 27 points, eight rebounds and 10 assists. This is the first time in Leonard’s career that he reached ten assists in a single game.

The Suns are certainly the most pleasant surprise of the season so far. Recall, in their season opener, they topped the Sacramento Kings, a team that is aiming for the playoffs this season, and then fell by a point to the Denver Nuggets, last year’s semifinalists in the Western Conference. The Clippers are by many a major favorite for the title this season.

The Suns have not been in the playoffs since 2010 and are one of the worst NBA franchises in recent years. The season-to-season win-loss ratio is 40-42, 33-33 (shortened season due to lockouts), 25-57, 48:34, 39-43, 23-59, 24-58, 21-61 and 19 -63.

In his second Utah Jazz game, Bojan Bogdanovic proved why he is a considerable boost. Index.hr reports that in the win against Sacramento (113:81), Bogdanovic led the Jazz with 26 points. He also recorded four rebounds, one assist, and one steal. He hit five of nine two-pointers, two three-pointers, and one free throw.

?| “I think it was hard for him to watch last night knowing that he could impact the game. His teammates felt that too. They were able to find him and it’s fun playing that way when the ball is moving. He took great shots.” -Quin Snyder

» https://t.co/ysHBljN3tn

— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) October 27, 2019

And all this despite an ankle sprain, which he suffered in his debut for the new club on Thursday night. Because of swelling, Bogdanovic missed the fight against the Lakers two days later. Coach Snyder made the decision to release him before the start of the game – and because of his injury, Babo played under restraint and did all this in just 24 minutes on the court.

?| Bojan with 26 points on 5-of-9 from three#TakeNote pic.twitter.com/cKAiZHQaFf

— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) October 27, 2019

Right from the start, he scored six points and then nailed a three-pointer for an 18-8 lead. Even then, Utah nearly settled the game, increasing their advantage by 35 at the end of the third quarter.

“He should keep taking some break games if he is going to come back like this,” joked Mike Conley, Utah’s other significant reinforcement this summer.

“He’s a big part of our team, and when he goes, he goes. We play selflessly and constantly find him on the shot.”

Jazz first star Donovan Mitchell scored 15 points and didn’t mind being sidelined by the Croatian ace.

“It’s great to see him so happy back on the court. He creates for himself and others, does a lot of things without the ball, pushes himself, draws a lot of attention and makes it easier for all of us,” Mitchell said.

?| “We are moving the ball pretty well but once again, our defense was on point.”

More postgame interviews on https://t.co/KRSCtZrI5D ? pic.twitter.com/2BG5b9aijh

— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) October 27, 2019

On the other side was the NBA’s second Bogdanovic, the Serbian Bogdan, who was one of the Kings’ best players with 10 points.

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

 

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