Ivica Zubac falls short of 30-30 game as Clippers dump Pacers

Ivica Zubac scored 31 points and grabbed 29 rebounds, the most for a Clipper in a single game in more than 34 years, as host Los Angeles cruised past the Indiana Pacers, 114-100, on Sunday, November 27 (Monday, November 28, Manila time).

Zubac led a Clippers side playing once again without All-Stars Kawhi Leonard and Paul George, with his career-high in rebounds highlighting an all-around stellar performance. The 29 boards were the franchise’s most since Michael Cage snared 30 in a game in April 1988.

Zubac also shot a blistering 14-of-17 from the floor, falling just one point short of matching his career high in scoring before fouling out. He approached especially rarefied air, as no NBA player has recorded a 30-point, 30-rebound double-double since Dwight Howard in 2018.

With three blocks, Zubac also contributed to a strong team defensive performance. The Clippers held Indiana to just 38.3% shooting from the floor at 36-of-94, including a dismal 9-of-42 (21.4%) from three-point range.

Los Angeles held rookie sensation Bennedict Mathurin to 9 points, just over 10 points under his season average coming into Sunday’s contest. Myles Turner was also limited to 9 points, and Buddy Hield finished with 10 on just 3-of-14 shooting from the field.

Jalen Smith led the Pacers with 23 points, while Tyrese Haliburton recorded his eighth double-double in the last 10 games with 15 points and 11 assists.

Norman Powell came up big for Los Angeles off the bench with 19 points. John Wall and Moses Brown added 10 points apiece in reserve duty.

Terance Mann scored 14 points, grabbed 7 rebounds, and dished 5 assists. Marcus Morris Sr. added 13 points and 2 steals in the Clippers’ win.

For Indiana, Sunday’s contest opened a seven-game Western Conference road swing with just the team’s third loss in the last 11 games. The 100 points were the Pacers’ second fewest in a game this season. – Rappler.com