Perfect Kennard sparks Clippers to comeback over Hawks
LOS ANGELES – Luke Kennard conjured a perfect shooting display and Terance Mann added 21 from the bench as the Los Angeles Clippers overturned a 22-point deficit to end the Atlanta Hawks eight-game winning streak on Monday (Tuesday, Manila time).
Kennard went eight-from-eight and made four 3-pointers to take the Clippers — who had trailed 88-66 with four minutes remaining in the third quarter — to a 119-110 win at the Staples Center.
Kennard's 20-point haul came from just over 18 second-half minutes as coach Ty Lue sent on the bench in a desperate bid to turn the tide with Atlanta romping towards a blowout victory.
Mann was another vital contributor from the bench, hauling down 10 rebounds in addition to his 21 points.
"It's heart — that was all heart," Kennard said afterwards. "Just staying ready. Guys have been staying ready throughout this entire year. We just needed to bring a little boost to the floor, a little energy, and that's what we did.
"That was a hard-fought win. We showed a lot of heart and guts."
Atlanta, chasing a ninth straight win, had exploded for 34 points in the second quarter to open up a 63-48 lead at half-time.
They retained that healthy lead until the arrival of the Clippers bench swung momentum in the closing stages of the third period and final quarter, with the home side ending on a 53-22 run.
Kawhi Leonard led the Clippers scoring with 25 points, seven rebounds and five assists.
Trae Young topped the Hawks scorers with 28 points while John Collins added 23.
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