Kyrie Irving scored 35 points, P.J. Washington Jr. had 20 of his 24 points in the first half and the Dallas Mavericks beat the New Orleans Pelicans 111-103 on Friday night for their third straight victory.

Kyrie Irving lifted the Mavericks with 35 points on 11/22 shooting. P.J. Washington was the other main scorer for the Mavs, scoring 24 points on 8/17 shooting as he came off an ankle injury. Max Christie (16 points), Naji Marshall (15 points, 10 rebounds), and Klay Thompson (12 points) were also in double figures.

The Dallas Mavericks needed a stabilizing force entering the unofficial second half of the season after three weeks full of turmoil and uncertainty. That familiar presence came in the form of Kyrie Irving,