Dallas Mavericks: Can they stop Ivica Zubac in the playoffs?

Ivica Zubac dominates Dallas Mavericks on the offensive glass

Zubac dominated the Mavs on the offensive glass in the playoffs last year. He had five boards that lead to six second-chance points in the Clippers’ Game 1 victory. The seven-footer had 11 offensive rebounds in the six games. He continually made it difficult on Dallas on the glass, but the extra possessions were massive in lifting LA to two close victories.

Zubac has carried it over to this season. The 24-year-old had nine offensive rebounds in the three meetings. Dallas cannot afford to have plays like this happen in the postseason.

Kristaps Porzingis and Luka Doncic do a fantastic job forcing Kawhi Leonard into a difficult shot, but the Mavericks do not finish the play by grabbing the rebound. Instead, Zubac crashes in for an easy dunk. It is far from an isolated play.

His nine offensive rebounds versus Dallas this season have turned into 13 second-chance point for the Clippers. The Dallas Mavericks allowed 9.8 offensive rebounds per game this season. They cannot let that happen in the playoffs. The Mavs must find Ivica Zubac and box him out. It will be difficult because LA’s big man has a strength advantage, but the Mavs need to find a way if they are going to pull the upset.

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