6’11” JOSH HEYTVELT WENT 6-8 FROM DOWNTOWN
Croatian Cup winner Zagreb CO had no real problem with Zadar’s pressing defence and opened the semifinal series of Croatian League playoffs with convincing 79:98 road win on Visnjik.
Zagreb CO was able to explore it’s frontcourt size advantage and to install inside presence through C Luka Zoric (29pts+14reb+4blk) and PF Josh Heytvelt (25pts, 6-8 threes).
In the absence of Mario Kasun the above mentioned duet combined for 54 points and 14 rebounds while leading the Zagreb CO to 30:15 rebounding margin.
SG Kruno Simon chipped in 19 points to go along 8 rebounds and 7 assists. For the losing squad SG Marko Car scored 21 points along with 6 assists while Ive Ivanov chipped in 16 points.
After trailing by as much as 11:33 after 1st quarter Zadar was able to minimize the deficit and to trail only by 3 points at the halftime (39:42). Thanks to it’s pressing defense Zadar managed to stay relatively close until the 4th quarter.
Then Zagreb’s PF Josh Heytvelt made his impersonation of the legendary Reggie Miller scoring three-point goals almost at will on couple of consecutive possessions.
In the garbage time Zagreb CO head coach Ivica Buric gave the chance to talented youngsters Dominik Mavra and Mario Hezonja who scored the last minute three-pointer.
COMPLETE CROATIAN CHAMPIONSHIP 2011 PLAYOFF SCHEDULE AND SCOREBOARD
