MAVS GET INTO 'GREAT RHYTHM'

Dallas impress early in season as Irving outduels Edwards in West Finals rematch

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Kyrie Irving believes resilience was key, as he scored 35 points to help the Dallas Mavericks recover from an early Anthony Edwards onslaught to clinch a 120-114 road win over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Oct 29.

Edwards had looked poised to help Minnesota avenge last season's National Basketball Association (NBA) Western Conference Finals loss to Dallas after erupting for 24 points in a devastating first-quarter performance.

He had six three-pointers and shot eight of 10 from the field to help his team take a 34-26 lead into the second quarter.

But Dallas hit back, outscoring Minnesota 35-25 in the second quarter to take a 61-59 lead at halftime.

Irving took over in the third quarter with 16 points as Dallas built a decisive 93-82 advantage heading into the fourth.

Although Minnesota rallied to get within two points with just over three minutes remaining, Dallas regrouped and a monster three-pointer from Luka Doncic and nine fourth-quarter points from Irving closed out the win.