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DALLAS – The longest winning streak of the season for the Dallas Mavericks coincides with the tie for the longest streak of games together for the star pairing of Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving.
Doncic scored 41 points, Irving scored 29 and the Mavericks beat the phoenix suns 123-113 on Thursday night, extending their winning streak to seven as both teams returned from the All-Star break.
Dallas tied Phoenix in the standings at 33-23 and took the head-to-head tiebreaker with a 2-1 record in a pair of teams fighting for a guaranteed playoff spot.
Doncic had 11 assists and nine rebounds ahead of fellow All-Stars Devin Booker, who scored 35 points, and Kevin Durant, who scored 23 on an average shooting night for the 14-time All-Star. The Suns had won five of six before halftime.
Dallas’ advance began when Irving returned from a sprained thumb. The Mavs have been without Doncic or Irving, or both, in 27 games due to injuries. His seventh consecutive game equaled the previous long stretch this season, from the first month.
“I think it answers the questions pretty well about those two coexisting,” coach Jason Kidd said. “I think it shows again our health, our energy, everything is positive right now. I think the guys are having fun. You can see that energy on the court.”
Dallas continued its hot streak over the offseason in the first visit of new majority owner Miriam Adelson. The widow of casino magnate Sheldon Adelson was sitting courtside.
The agreement between his company, Las Vegas Sands Corp., and Mark Cuban was approved by the NBA in December. Cuban is now the deputy governor.
Irving, who missed the first two games, scored 13 points in the first quarter and restored a double-digit lead early in the fourth with a deft behind-the-back dribble and a spin move for a layup.
A smiling Doncic greeted Irving as the Suns called a timeout after Irving’s layup, and the star duo delivered the final blow when Irving passed after rising for a jumper and Doncic hit a 3-pointer for a 128 lead. -113. They both left the game at the next whistle.
The Suns were without guard Bradley Beal, who is dealing with a tight left hamstring. He scored 20 points in Phoenix’s 132-109 win at Dallas a month ago, when Booker scored 22 of his 46 points in a decisive third quarter as the Suns rallied from a 16-point deficit.
This time, it was Irving who sparked a demonstration in Dallas.
“You just have to know that, especially after he makes one, the next one is coming,” Booker said. “He’s a great player and tough to defend. We definitely could have limited some of those looks in transition.”
The Mavs scored the first 16 points of the second half to end a 33-9 run that began after the Suns took their largest lead of 54-43 midway through the second quarter.
“We didn’t start the third quarter with enough attention,” Phoenix coach Frank Vogel said. “We got too stagnant offensively. We had some lapses in what we were supposed to do. That led to some tough possessions.”
Tim Hardaway Jr. and PJ Washington each scored 12 points for Dallas. Eric Gordon scored 16 for Phoenix.
Until next time
Suns: At Houston on Friday night.
Mavericks: At Indiana on Sunday.
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