The Los Angeles Clippers live to fight another day.
Behind another transcendent performance from Kawhi Leonard, the Clippers defeated the Dallas Mavericks 104-97 on Friday to stave off elimination and force a Game 7.
Leonard, who was averaging 30.4 points per game in the series entering Friday, tied a playoff career high with 45 points (18-of-25 shooting, 5-of-9 from deep) with six rebounds and three assists. That included this dagger:
That was his biggest moment of the night, until he did this one possession later:
Paul George (20 points, 13 rebounds, 6 assists) and Reggie Jackson (25 points, 9 rebounds, 4 assists) were the only other Clippers players to score in double digits.
The Clippers’ win also continues what has been one of the more peculiar statistical quirks of the playoffs in recent years. The home team has so far lost every game of the series, the first time an NBA playoff series has begun with six straight road wins. You can imagine the Clippers hope that trend ends in Game 7.
Tip-off for the do-or-die game is scheduled for 12:30 p.m. PT on Sunday at Staples Center.
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