by DALLAS — Kyrie Irving scored 35 points as Dallas beat Houston 116-111 Friday night in the NBA Cup group opener. Irving shot 12 of 19 from the field, 5 of 8 from three and a perfect 6 of 6 at the line, adding 4 rebounds and 9 assists in 34:53.
Irving took over late, scoring 26 in the second half and 16 in the fourth as Dallas rallied from 8 points down entering the final quarter.
Cooper Flagg added 33 points and 9 rebounds, and Daniel Gafford had 18 points and 7 rebounds for the Mavericks.
Kevin Durant led Houston with 28 points, and Jabari Smith Jr. added 22.
Dallas next faces Sacramento on Nov. 2.
