Mavericks fend off Timberwolves 120-114 in West finals rematch behind Irving's 35 points

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Kyrie Irving scored 16 of his 35 points in the third quarter, Luka Doncic had a late surge to finish with 24 points, nine assists and eight rebounds, and the Dallas Mavericks held off the Minnesota Timberwolves 120-114 on Tuesday in the first rematch of last season's Western Conference finals.

Anthony Edwards had 24 of his 37 points in the first quarter to set a Target Center record, going 7 for 13 from 3-point range. He also went just 6 for 12 from the free-throw line.

Doncic put his stamp on the game with a 33-footer with 1:04 left to stretch the lead to eight points, barking at fans as he skipped back to the bench after a timeout. That was his only make in eight tries from behind the arc.

P.J. Washington added 17 points and eight rebounds for the Mavericks, who played on back-to-back nights after beating Utah 110-102 at home on Monday. Doncic went 5 for 22 from the floor and 1 for 9 from 3-point range for 15 points against the Jazz.

Julius Randle had 20 points, seven rebounds and seven assists for the Timberwolves.

Mavericks: With Doncic in a mini-slump, not only did the Mavericks get a superstar performance from Irving, the other half of their leading duo, they were especially active on defense with 12 steals.

Timberwolves: The breathtaking first quarter by Edwards gave way to some sloppy stretches. Minnesota had 20 turnovers that led to 25 points for Dallas.

Irving went 6 for 8 from 3-point range, including a swish with 2:31 left and Randle tightly guarding him at the top of the key after the Timberwolves pulled within 109-107.

Edwards has five-plus 3-pointers in all four games this season, the longest streak in team history.

The Mavericks host Houston on Thursday night and the Timberwolves host Denver on Friday.

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA

Minnesota Timberwolves forward Julius Randle (30) reacts after missing a shot during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Dallas Mavericks, Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving (11) goes up for a shot as Minnesota Timberwolves forward Julius Randle (30) defends during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (5) lays on the ground after falling during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Dallas Mavericks, Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (5) celebrates after making a 3-point shot during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Dallas Mavericks, Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving (11) works toward the basket as Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (5) defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

BOSTON (AP) — Samuel Ersson stopped 23 shots, Tyson Foerster broke a scoreless tie early in the second period and the Philadelphia Flyers beat the Boston Bruins 2-0 on Tuesday night.

Joel Farabee added an empty-net goal with 24 seconds remaining and the Flyers won in Boston for the first time since a 3-2 victory on April 5, 2021.

Ersson got his sixth career shutout and first this season. He survived a scare about five minutes into the third period when the puck got behind him after glancing off his skate. But he flopped backward on top of it and kept it from crossing the line.

Flyers: After stumbling to a 2-6-1 start and allowing an average of 4.22 goals per game, Philadelphia came up with its best defensive effort of the season. The Flyers shut down a five-on-three power play early in the first period and held Boston to three shots on goal in the third.

Bruins: Had no answer for the Flyers despite outshooting them 21-12 through the first two periods. Boston was shut out for the second time in four games, also getting blanked by Nashville 4-0 on Oct. 22.

Boston's Joonas Korpisalo had 17 saves.

With Philadelphia defenseman Jamie Drysdale down on the ice after blocking a shot that left him in too much pain to get back to his skates in front of his own net, Ersson made three saves — two on David Pastrnak — before the whistle finally blew 4:08 into the second and Drysdale was able to get back to the bench. Foerster scored 1:24 later.

Despite getting outshot 23-19, the Flyers dominated in the faceoff circle and finished with a 30-21 advantage.

The Bruins visit the Carolina Hurricanes on Thursday night while the Flyers are back at home against the St. Louis Blues.

AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl

Boston Bruins goaltender Joonas Korpisalo makes a stickless save on a shot by Philadelphia Flyers right wing Bobby Brink during the first period of an NHL hockey game, Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2024, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

Boston Bruins right wing Justin Brazeau (55) and Philadelphia Flyers right wing Travis Konecny (11) collide during the first period of an NHL hockey game, Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2024, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Emil Andrae (36) tries to grab the flying puck as Boston Bruins left wing Brad Marchand (63) gives chase during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2024, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

Philadelphia Flyers goaltender Samuel Ersson (33) drops to the ice to make a save on a shot by Boston Bruins right wing David Pastrnak (88) during the first period of an NHL hockey game, Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2024, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

Philadelphia Flyers goaltender Samuel Ersson (33) watches the puck after making a save, before making a second save on a shot by Boston Bruins center Matthew Poitras (51) during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2024, in Foxborough, Mass. At left is Boston Bruins right wing Justin Brazeau (55). (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

Philadelphia Flyers goaltender Samuel Ersson looks down at the puck on a save against the Boston Bruins during the third period of an NHL hockey game, Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2024, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)