Irving scores 35 as Mavericks beat Rockets 116-111
Kyrie Irving scored 35 points (16 in the fourth quarter, on two 3-pointers, three two-point baskets and four free throws), and the Dallas Mavericks beat the Houston Rockets 116-111.
Irving’s 16-foot pull-up jumper put the Mavericks ahead for good with 2:08 left in the fourth quarter.
Irving’s two free throws with 3.1 seconds left made it 116-111 and put it away.
During clutch time, the Mavericks outscored the Rockets 20-18. Cooper Flagg scored 10 of the Mavericks’ 20 on 4-of-4 shooting and 2 of 2 at the line.
Flagg had 33 points, nine rebounds and six assists on 13-of-19 shooting, and Zaccharie Risacher added 12 points (nine on three 3-pointers) and three steals off the bench. Irving scored 16 of his 35 points in the fourth quarter. The Mavericks had two 30-point scorers. Irving and Flagg set each other up for six baskets and 13 points, three of them in the fourth quarter.
For the Rockets, Kevin Durant scored 28 points, and Jabari Smith Jr. added 22 points.
The Mavericks shot 51.9% from the field and 36.4% from 3 to the Rockets’ 41.7% and 24.1%. They outscored the Rockets 28-10 on the fast break.













