Clippers advance; 76ers force Game 7
Unsung swingman Terance Mann scored a careerhigh 39 points in leading the Los Angeles Clippers to the franchise’s firstever conference finals, closing out the Utah Jazz with a 131119 win Friday night at the Staples Center.
The Clippers won Game 6 with their leading scorer Kawhi Leonard out with an injury. Paul George scored 28 for the Clippers.
The Clippers will face the Suns in Phoenix on Sunday in the Western Conference finals.
76ers 104, Hawks 99:
Seth Curry hit six 3pointers and scored 24 points and topseeded Philadelphia avoided elimination in the Eastern Conference semifinal series by beating the Hawks in Atlanta in Game 6.
The 76ers overcame Trae Young’s 34point effort to force Game 7 on Sunday night in Philadelphia.
Tobias Harris also had 24 points, making four free throws in the final 13 seconds to protect the lead. Joel Embiid added 22 points and 13 rebounds.
Young’s long 3, just before the shot clock expired, cut Philadelphia’s lead to 9493. Embiid answered with a basket. Free throws by Embiid and Tyrese Maxey, who scored 16 points off the bench, pushed the advantage to 9893.
Danilo Gallinari’s jam with 20 seconds remaining cut the lead to three points.
After rallying from deficits of 18 and 26 points in their past two wins, the Hawks finally started strong. Atlanta led by 12 points in the first period, and never trailed in the first half.
Atlanta led 5147 at halftime. The 76ers opened the second half with a flurry of four 3s, including three by Curry, for a 120 run that gave Philadelphia a 5951 lead. The 76ers led by 11 at 6857, following a jumper by Embiid.
Atlanta cut the lead to 8076 entering the final period.
With Atlanta leading 9284 with 4:03 remaining, Embiid was called for an offensive foul when guarded by John Collins. Embiid fell on top of Collins on the court and Collins then shoved the 76ers center before both rose to their feet. Embiid had his arms stretched out wide with Collins’ hands around his neck as both walked off the court under the basket.
Officials reviewed the altercation and called technical fouls on each player with no free throws rewarded.
After outscoring Philadelphia 4019 in the fourth quarter of their 109106 comeback win in Game 5, the Hawks took the momentum into the opening period of Game 6.
Trade:
Boston traded point guard Kemba Walker to Oklahoma City for forward Al Horford, the No. 16 overall draft pick in this year’s draft and a 2025 secondrounder in Brad Stevens’ first major move since he moved from the Celtics’ bench to the front office.
The Thunder also will send 7footer Moses Brown and a 2023 secondround pick to Boston.
New job in Dallas:
Dirk Nowitzki is joining the Mavericks as an adviser in the wake of the abrupt departures of general manager Donnie Nelson and coach Rick Carlisle.
Nowitzki, who turns 43 on Saturday, retired two years ago after playing one season with young superstar Luka Doncic. The 7foot German set an NBA record by spending all 21 seasons with the Mavericks, leading them to the 2011 championship.