Kyrie Irving leads the Luka-less Mavericks over the cold-shooting Jazz

SALT LAKE CITY — In theory, things should have been a little easier for the Utah Jazz on Saturday. After all, Dallas was without perennial All-Star Luka Doncic.

But it wasn’t that simple for Will Hardy.

“I’m as scared of Kyrie (Irving) as I am of Luka,” the Jazz head coach said before the game.

He had good reason for that.

Irving scored 30 points and had nine assists as the Mavericks beat the Jazz 106-94 on Saturday at the Delta Center.

Irving checked back into the game with 7:25 left and the Mavericks clung to a 5-point lead; and it wasn’t long before Dallas was firmly in control. He immediately knocked down a triple and then in quick succession stole the ball and delivered an assist from the back.

Just like Dallas the lead was back to double digits.

Irving’s run capped what had been a steady comeback attempt for the Jazz. Utah fell behind by 20 points in the opening quarter as the Mavericks hit nine 3-pointers in the first quarter. The Jazz cut into the lead as the shooting cooled (they got just six the rest of the way); however, the home team could never get over the hump.

Utah shot just 36% from the field and 23% from 3-point range – numbers that make it difficult to complete any sort of comeback.

Walker Kessler had 18 points, 10 rebounds and five blocks as he continued to be used more as a threat. Lauri Markkanen, who welcomed a baby girl Wednesday night, scored 19 points for Utah.

This story will be updated.