Clippers Pull Out Game 6 Victory over Mavericks, 104-97
The Los Angeles Clippers defeated the Dallas Mavericks, 104-97, at American Airlines Center on Friday night in Game 6 of their Western Conference quarterfinal-round series. The series is now tied, 3-3.
The Clippers (3-3) came in staring elimination in the face, and they didn't flinch during a first half that they emerged from with a 48-45 lead after an impressive second quarter during which they limited the Mavericks (3-3) to 17 points. However, the third quarter belonged to a resurgent Dallas squad, which outscored Los Angeles by a 32-25 margin to take a four-point advantage into the final period. After the visitors quickly made up ground the two clubs engaged in a nip-and-tuck battle for much of the first nine minutes of the quarter until Kawhi Leonard, who tied a career playoff high with 45 points, made three consecutive buckets to give the Clippers an eight-point edge with 1:41 remaining and essentially seal the win.
Leonard complemented his aforementioned scoring tally with six rebounds, three assists and two steals. Reggie Jackson delivered 25 points, nine rebounds, four assists and one steal. Paul George contributed a 20-point, 13-rebound double-double that also included six assists and three blocks.
Luka Doncic paced the Mavericks with 29 points, supplementing them with 11 assists, eight rebounds and four steals. Tim Hardaway poured in 23 points. Boban Marjanovic totaled 12 points, nine rebounds and one assist. Dorian Finney-Smith finished with 11 points, seven rebounds, four assists and two steals. Kristaps Porzingis mustered just seven points, five rebounds, three assists, three steals and one block.
The series now shifts back to Staples Center in Los Angeles for Game 7 on Sunday afternoon.
The Clippers (3-3) came in staring elimination in the face, and they didn't flinch during a first half that they emerged from with a 48-45 lead after an impressive second quarter during which they limited the Mavericks (3-3) to 17 points. However, the third quarter belonged to a resurgent Dallas squad, which outscored Los Angeles by a 32-25 margin to take a four-point advantage into the final period. After the visitors quickly made up ground the two clubs engaged in a nip-and-tuck battle for much of the first nine minutes of the quarter until Kawhi Leonard, who tied a career playoff high with 45 points, made three consecutive buckets to give the Clippers an eight-point edge with 1:41 remaining and essentially seal the win.
Leonard complemented his aforementioned scoring tally with six rebounds, three assists and two steals. Reggie Jackson delivered 25 points, nine rebounds, four assists and one steal. Paul George contributed a 20-point, 13-rebound double-double that also included six assists and three blocks.
Luka Doncic paced the Mavericks with 29 points, supplementing them with 11 assists, eight rebounds and four steals. Tim Hardaway poured in 23 points. Boban Marjanovic totaled 12 points, nine rebounds and one assist. Dorian Finney-Smith finished with 11 points, seven rebounds, four assists and two steals. Kristaps Porzingis mustered just seven points, five rebounds, three assists, three steals and one block.
The series now shifts back to Staples Center in Los Angeles for Game 7 on Sunday afternoon.