READ MORE: Kyrie Irving's 35 points lifts Mavericks past Pelicans in first game after All-Star Break, 111-103

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.

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,