Kyrie’s 35 Leads Mavericks over Pelicans, Cavaliers Crush Knicks, Rockets’ Balance Keys Win Over Timberwolves

Nine games were on Friday’s NBA slate as teams ease their way back into things following the All-Star Break. 

In Dallas, Kyrie Irving’s 35 points (11-for-22, 5-for-12, 8-for-8) was a game-high output in the Dallas Mavericks’ 111-103 win over the New Orleans Pelicans. P.J. Washington was 8-for-17 for 24 points and Max Christie (16 points, 6-for-7) and Naji Marshall (15 points, 10 rebounds) had big-time performances off the bench for the home team. 

Zion Williamson’s 29 points and 7 rebounds (11-for-15, 27 minutes) led the Pelicans while Trey Murphy III (20 points, 6 rebounds, 6 assists) and C.J. McCollum (16 points) were just a combined 13-for-35 from the field. The 31-26 Mavericks have won three straight games, while the Pelicans are now 13-43. 

The Cleveland Cavaliers, in a home matchup against Eastern Conference rival New York, dominated the Knicks at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse 142-105. The Cavaliers shot 60 percent, led by Donovan Mitchell’s 27 points (10-for-15, 5-for-7 from downtown) and received 21 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists, and 3 steals (9-for-11) from Evan Mobley. Ty Jerome was 7-for-11 off the bench for 19 points. 

Jalen Brunson’s 26 points (10-for-17) was tops for the Knicks while Karl-Anthony Towns was 10-for-15 for 23 points. The Cavaliers (46-10) outrebounded the Knicks (37-19) in the game 47-32.

In Houston, Jalen Green scored 35 points as the Rockets (35-21) raced out with 48 first quarter points on their way to a 121-115 win over the visiting Minnesota Timberwolves (31-26). Green was 12-for-24 and 5-for-11 from deep, while Alperen Sengun put up 24 points and 13 rebounds. Amen Thompson (7-for-9) played a complete game with 17 points, 10 rebounds, 6 assists, and 3 blocks. 

Anthony Edwards led the Timberwolves with 37 points but was just 13-for-32 from the field (4-for-14 from downtown), as the Timberwolves as a whole made just 11 of 39 attempts from 3-point range. Naz Reid (9-for-16) scored 22 points with 8 rebounds while Julius Randle was 7-for-15 (1-for-7 from downtown) for 21 points and 6 rebounds. 

Around the League 

Grizzlies 105 (37-19) 

Magic 104 (28-30) 

Morant: 23 PTS, 5 AST, 4 REB (10-for-24 FG) 

Bane: 16 PTS, 7 REB (5-for-13 FG) 

Jackson Jr.: 16 PTS (10-for-11 FT) 

Wagner: 25 PTS, 6 REB (9-for-19 FG)

Banchero: 21 PTS, 6 REB (5-for-21 FG) 

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Bucks 104 (31-24) 

Wizards 101 (9-46) 

Kuzma: 19 PTS, 8 REB, 5 AST (8-for-19 FG) 

Lopez: 18 PTS, 9 REB (5-for-8 FG)   

Antetokounmpo: 18 PTS, 6 REB (6-for-9 FG) 

Sarr: 22 PTS, 7 REB (8-for-19 FG) 

Kispert: 16 PTS (4-for-7 3PT) 

Middleton: 12 PTS (4-for-10 FG) 

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Heat 120 (26-28)

Raptors 111 (1 7-39) 

Herro: 28 PTS, 7 AST (10-for-18 FG) 

Wiggins: 25 PTS, 8 REB (9-for-19) 

Adebayo: 19 PTS, 12 REB (8-for-13 FG) 

Barrett: 29 PTS (11-for-17 FG) 

Quickley: 23 PTS, 7 REB (8-for-21 FG) 

Barnes: 13 PTS, 6 REB (4-for-12 FG) 

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Pistons 125 (30-26)

Spurs 110 (24-30) 

Cunningham: 25 PTS, 12 AST (10-for-15 FG) 

Harris: 22 PTS, 7 REB (8-for-10 FG) 

Duren: 21 PTS, 15 REB, 5 AST (10-for-15 FG) 

Keldon Johnson: 28 PTS (11-for-13 FG) 

Fox: 27 PTS, 5 REB, 5 AST, 4 STL (11-for-18 FG) 

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Thunder 130 (45-10)  

Jazz 107 (13-42) 

Gilgeous-Alexander: 21 PTS, 8 AST (7-for-16 FG) 

Holmgren: 20 PTS, 7 REB, 3 BLK (7-for-15 FG) 

Williams: 18 PTS, 9 REB, 4 AST (6-for-14 FG) 

Collins: 26 PTS (11-for-19 FG) 

George: 20 PTS (7-for-12 FG) 

Clarkson: 19 PTS (7-for-16 FG) 

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Warriors 132 (29-27) 

Kings 106 (28-28)

Moody: 22 PTS (5-for-8 3PT) 

Hield: 22 PTS (5-for-8 3PT) 

Podziemski: 21 PTS (9-for-20 FG)

DeRozan: 34 PTS, 6 AST, 4 REB (10-for-14 FG, 4-for-7 3PT, 10-for-10 FT) 

Sabonis: 14 PTS, 14 REB, 9 AST (6-for-10 FG) 

Murray, LaVine, Monk: 13 PTS each (16-for-33 FG)  

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