Ivica Zubac

Traditional back-to-basket bigs are no longer a dime a dozen across the NBA, but as the L.A. Clippers continue to learn, having one of the absolute best of that rare grouping can often be a night-to-night cheat code. Presented the opportunity to test his interior expertise against the Cleveland Cavaliers’ celebrated two-big lineup, Ivica Zubac met the could-be NBA Finals stage with a giant-sized impact. Guaranteed the approval of All-Star centers from generations past, Zubac’s around-the-rim masterclass — against the eighth-stingiest paint defense, no less — included every variation of pivot, reverse, and through-traffic bucket-getting that one could hypothesize. The night’s most replayable highlight likely arrived in crunchtime, with Zubac overpowering Jarrett Allen for rebounding positioning before bringing the Intuit Dome to its feet through a powerful two-handed flush, extending Los Angeles’ late-game lead. Nothing short of dominant throughout March, the Clippers’ birthday boy tallied a point for every year of his age, turning in a 28-point (on 13-of-18 shooting), 20-rebound, one-block masterpiece, guiding a statement-sending victory over the Eastern Conference’s No. 1 seed.