Terance Mann explodes for 39 as Clippers knock out Jazz, advance to Western Conference Finals

The Los Angeles Clippers got a huge boost from second-year player Terance Mann as they overturned a huge Utah lead to beat the Jazz, 131-119, and advance into the NBA Western Conference Finals on Friday (Saturday in Manila).

Mann, starting in place of the injured Kawhi Leonard, exploded for 39 points, including 20 in the crucial third quarter, to lead the Clippers.

Paul George and Reggie Jackson also had big nights, with George posting 28 points, nine rebounds and seven assists and Jackson contributing 27 points and 10 assists.

The Clippers trailed by 22 points at halftime but came back with a huge second half to take the Game 6 win and clinch the series, 4-2.

They outscored the Jazz, 81-47, over the last two periods.

No. 1-seed Utah seemed like it could cruise to a win after opening up a 72-50 halftime lead, thanks in large part to Donovan Mitchell and Jordan Clarkson.

But Mann turned in a phenomenal performance coming off the break, knocking down four three-pointers en route to 20 third quarter points. Eight of those points came during a 17-0 run where they cut a 19-point deficit down to just 2, 90-88.

In the fourth, George, Nic Batum and Pat Beverley all knocked down threes to push the Clippers into the driver’s seat. By the time Mann joined the party, his own triple was good enough to give his team a double-digit lead, 116-106.

Mitchell had another heroic scoring effort for the Jazz, finishing with 29 points of his own, alongside nine rebounds and nine assists.

—JMB, GMA News