Barnes, Brunson lead Mavericks past Magic 101-76

Harrison Barnes scored 19 points, rookie Jalen Brunson added 17 and the Dallas Mavericks beat the Orlando Magic 101-76 on Monday night.

Brunson got the start at point guard in place of injured Dennis Smith Jr. (right wrist sprain) and reached a career high in points. He has scored in double figures in each of the Mavs' last three games.

Luka Doncic had 11 rebounds and a season-high nine assists to offset a 2-for-11 shooting performance, finishing with seven points. Dwight Powell had 16 for the Mavericks.

Dallas Mavericks forward Maximilian Kleber (42) attempts a shot as Orlando Magic forward Khem Birch (24) defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, Dec. 10, 2018, in Dallas. (AP PhotoBrandon Wade)

Dallas never trailed in winning its 10th straight at home for the first time since the 2007-08 season. The Mavericks led by as many as 28 in the fourth quarter.

Jonathon Simmons had a season-high 18 for the Magic and Aaron Gordon scored 10. Orlando played without Evan Fournier, who missed the game for personal reasons.

Orlando's Nikola Vucevic played 26 minutes despite turning his ankle during a loss Friday against Indiana. He scored just eight but had 16 rebounds.

Orlando Magic forward Jonathon Simmons (17) and Dallas Mavericks forward Luka Doncic (77) battle for a loose ball during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, Dec. 10, 2018, in Dallas. (AP PhotoBrandon Wade)

Brunson was 5 for 5 from the field in the first half and scored 11 points, as did Barnes, who had the Mavericks' final eight to give Dallas a 52-40 lead at halftime.

Brunson then gave Dallas a 61-44 lead with a 3 from the right corner with 9:05 left in the third quarter. They extended the lead to 22 by the end of the period.

TIP-INS

Orlando Magic forward Khem Birch (24) attempts a layup as Dallas Mavericks forward Maximilian Kleber (42) defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, Dec. 10, 2018, in Dallas. (AP PhotoBrandon Wade)

Magic: Coach Steve Clifford did not detail the reasons for Fournier's absence, but said, "It's totally excused." Jonathan Isaac started in Fournier's spot. Clifford didn't know whether Fournier would miss more games. . Rookie Mo Bamba, who had played in all 26 previous games, was a DNP-Coach's Decision on Monday.

Mavericks: Coach Rick Carlisle on the decision to start Brunson in place of the injured Smith in the last two games: "He earned that opportunity based on his play through the first two months along with how he played in the New Orleans game (a 132-106 loss). He played a very solid game even though it was a blowout."

IT'S BEEN A WHILE

For perspective on how long it has been since Dallas won 10 games in a row at home, consider that the 2007-08 season was the last one the Mavericks were coached by someone other than Carlisle, who took over for Avery Johnson after that season.

The Mavericks' final loss of that regular season came against the Seattle SuperSonics, led by then-rookie Kevin Durant. The SuperSonics moved to Oklahoma City after that season.

UP NEXT

Magic: Travel to Mexico City to play Chicago on Thursday and Utah on Saturday. Both are Magic home games.

Mavericks: Host Atlanta on Wednesday.

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ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Paolo Banchero had 31 points and 14 rebounds, Jalen Suggs added 24 points and the Orlando Magic handed Cleveland the worst playoff loss in franchise history, winning 121-83 on Thursday night to cut the Cavaliers’ lead to 2-1 in their Eastern Conference first-round series.

Franz Wagner finished with 16 points and eight assists for the Magic, who led by 43 points in the fourth quarter on the way to the third-largest margin of victory in a playoff game. They earned their first playoff victory since 2019 and the first on their home floor since April 26, 2011.

They can even the series with a victory at home Sunday.

Jarrett Allen had 15 points and eight rebounds for the Cavaliers, who shot 39% from the field and 23.5% from 3-point range. Caris LeVert added 15 points and Donovan Mitchell had 13 points and seven assists.

76ERS 125, KNICKS 114

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Joel Embiid scored 50 points, making all four 3-point attempts and scoring 18 in a potential series-shifting third quarter to lead Philadelphia to a win over New York in Game 3 of their Eastern Conference first-round series.

Embiid boldly stated “we’re going to win this series” after the 76ers dropped Game 2.

With one of the finest postseason efforts of his career, Embiid became the third player to ever score 50 points against the Knicks in the postseason and kept the hope of a Philadelphia series comeback very much alive.

The Knicks lead the series 2-1. Game 4 is Sunday in Philadelphia.

Embiid was 13 of 19 from the floor overall, made 19 of 21 free throws and hit five 3-pointers.

NUGGETS 112, LAKERS 105

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Aaron Gordon had 29 points and 15 rebounds, Nikola Jokic added 24 points, 15 rebounds and nine assists, and Denver moved to the brink of the second round with a victory over the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 3 of their first-round series..

Jamal Murray scored 22 points as the defending NBA champion Nuggets won their 11th consecutive meeting with LeBron James and the Lakers in dominating style.

Michael Porter Jr. added 20 points for Denver, which took control in the third quarter and cruised through the final minutes to its fifth straight road win over Los Angeles, starting with its sweep of last season’s Western Conference finals.

Game 4 is Saturday night in Los Angeles. No NBA team has ever rallied from an 0-3 playoff deficit.

Orlando Magic guard Cole Anthony (50) makes a shot as he gets past Cleveland Cavaliers guard Sam Merrill (5) during the second half of Game 3 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series Thursday, April 25, 2024, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)