Irving surpasses Edwards as Mavs down Wolves in rematch

Kyrie Irving scored 35 points as the Dallas Mavericks overcame an early Anthony Edwards charge to score a 120-114 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Tuesday.

Edwards appeared poised to help Minnesota avenge last season’s Western Conference finals loss to Dallas after erupting for 24 points in a devastating first quarter performance.

He made six three-pointers and shot six-of-10 from the field to help Minnesota take a 34-26 lead into the second quarter.

But Dallas bounced back, outscoring Minnesota 35-25 in the second quarter to take a 61-59 lead at halftime.

Irving then took over in the third quarter with 16 points as Dallas built a decisive 93-82 advantage heading into the fourth quarter.

Although Minnesota rallied to get within two points with just over three minutes remaining, Dallas regrouped and a monster three-pointer from Luka Doncic and nine fourth-quarter points from Irving sealed the win.

“We’re just very resilient and understood what the game plan was,” a relieved Irving said after the win. “They made a lot of threes.

“We know this team very well. They know us very well – so we knew it was going to be personal. Emotions were high, so just thankful we came in here and got the dub (win).”

Irving led Dallas scoring with Doncic adding 24 points. PJ Washington chipped in with 17 points, while Daniel Gafford added 14.

Minnesota star Edwards, meanwhile, topped the home team’s scorers with 37 points, with new recruit Julius Randle finishing with 20.

Irving was pleased with a performance that saw Dallas improve to 3-1 on the season as they look to establish themselves as genuine contenders in the West.

“We’re just getting used to it, we’re getting into a great rhythm and getting in good shape,” Irving said of Dallas’ promising early season form. “We’re just going to appreciate possessions right now, we’re just developing that chemistry.”

Elsewhere in the NBA on Tuesday, the Denver Nuggets were taken to overtime for the second straight night before battling to a 144-139 road victory over the Brooklyn Nets thanks to the 150th triple double of Nikola Jokic’s career.

Denver had been forced to dig deep to earn an overtime win over Toronto on Monday and was again forced to go to the well by the Nets, who jumped out to a 17-point lead in the second quarter before slowly pulling away .

Jokic forced overtime with just nine seconds remaining, hitting a hook shot to make it 125-125.

Denver then dominated in overtime, outscoring Brooklyn 19-14 to earn a victory that helps the Nuggets improve to 2-2.

Jokic’s finished with 29 points, 18 rebounds and 16 assists, while Jamal Murray and Aaron Gordon both added 24 points apiece. Russell Westbrook, meanwhile, contributed 22 points off the bench.

German national team player Dennis Schroder led the Brooklyn scorers with 28 points.

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