Irving scores 36 in return to Brooklyn, leads Mavericks
Kyrie Irving scored 36 points in a dazzling return to Brooklyn exactly one year after he was traded to Dallas, leading the Mavericks to a 119107 victory over the Nets on Tuesday night.
Luka Doncic had 35 points, 18 rebounds and nine assists as the Mavericks' guard tandem took turns hitting some deep 3-pointers in the second half when the Nets were trying to make a run.
Irving was booed when he touched the ball in the early going but was later cheered for plays including his slam of a lob pass in the third quarter.
Mikal Bridges scored 28 points and Royce O'Neal had 18 for the short-handed Nets, who trimmed a 23-point deficit to 107-101 with about five minutes remaining before Irving knocked down two straight 3-pointers for a 113-101 lead. KNICKS 123, GRIZZLIES 113 >> Jalen Brunson had 27 points and eight assists before exiting with an apparent ankle injury, Donte DiVincenzo had 32 points, and New York beat shorthanded
Memphis.
HEAT 121, MAGIC 95 >> Jimmy Butler scored 23 points to lead seven Miami players in double figures, and the Heat beat Orlando.
Butler also had eight rebounds, eight assists and three steals for the Heat, who won for just the second time in their last seven home games. Terry Rozier
scored 18 while Tyler Herro and All-Star Bam Adebayo each scored 14 for Miami, which won the season series against Orlando 3-1.
PACERS 132, ROCKETS 129 >> Pascal Siakam scored 29 points and teamed up with T.J. McConnell to spur a third-quarter comeback as Indiana beat Houston.
BULLS 129, TIMBERWOLVES
123 >> Coby White and DeMar DeRozan scored 33 points apiece, and Chicago erased a 23-point deficit in n overtime victory over Anthony Edwards and Minnesota.
JAZZ 124, THUNDER 117 >> Lauri Markkanen had 33 points and 11 rebounds to lead Utah to a victory over Oklahoma City.