Kyrie Irving scores 24 in Dallas debut, leads Mavs over Clippers

LOS ANGELES(AP) — Kyrie Irving scored 24 points in his Dallas debut and theMavericks defeated the Los Angeles Clippers 110-104 on Wednesdaynight.

Theeight-time All-Star was traded to the Mavs on Sunday from theBrooklyn Nets. He was part of a 13-0 spurt early in the game,scoring eight points on a jumper and back-to-back 3-pointers.

Irving hadfour rebounds and five assists in 37 minutes of what amounted to adress rehearsal before injured Luka Doncic returns to give the Mavsa powerhouse backcourt. Irving was greeted with cheers and a boyholding a sign welcoming him to the team when he was introduced aspart of the starting lineup.

Early inthe fourth, Irving fouled Paul George. A Clippers fan yelled tohim, “I love you, but that was a flagrant.” Irving laughed andshook his head no.

FormerClipper Reggie Bullock scored 15 of his 18 points in the firstquarter against his old team. All five Dallas starters reacheddouble figures.

NormanPowell scored 24 points and Terance Mann added 21 for the Clippers,whose two-game winning streak ended. George added 20 points. KawhiLeonard, who had two points in the first half, finished with18.

Coming offa 4-2 road trip, the Clippers never led and trailed by 19 in thefirst quarter.

They made arun at the lead in the third. Leonard ignited a 20-10 spurt byscoring 11 in a row to pull them to 79-78. Josh Green’s basket keptthe Mavs ahead 81-78 going into the fourth.

The Mavsquickly stretched their lead to 10 points in the fourth. TheClippers got within five four times but the Mavs held them off.

TheClippers cut their deficit to 60-52 at halftime after outscoringDallas 27-19 in the second period.

The Mavsscored 41 points in the opening quarter while shooting 60% from thefloor. They outscored the Clippers 21-9 to start the game.

Leonard hadtwo points and George had 10 in the first half when they combinedto shoot 5 of 14.

TIP-INS

Mavericks:Doncic missed his third straight game because of a right heelcontusion. He joined the team in Los Angeles and it’s underdiscussion whether he will play Friday or Saturday when the Mavsare at Sacramento for a back-to-back. ... They made 17 3-pointers,including six by Bullock.

Clippers:John Wall (abdominal soreness) remains out. ... Former teamco-owner Shelly Sterling, who sold the franchise to Steve Ballmerafter her then-husband Donald Sterling was banned by the NBA, satcourtside next to Jalen Rose.

UPNEXT

Mavericks:Visit the Sacramento Kings on Friday in the fourth of five roadgames.

Clippers:Host the Milwaukee Bucks on Friday.