Kyrie Irving set to play his first home game with Mavericks

The excitement is building as Kyrie Irving makes his home debut with the Dallas Mavericks tonight at 7:30 when the eight-time All-Star and his new team play host to the Minnesota Timberwolves at American Airlines Center.

The Mavs acquired forward Markieff Morris and Irving from the Brooklyn Nets last Monday for Dorian Finney-Smith, Spencer Dinwiddie, an unprotected first-round draft pick in 2029 and second-round picks in 27 and 29. In his three games with the Mavs so far, Irving has averaged 25.7 points and 7.3 assists and has played like he’s been with this team all season.

Coach Jason Kidd said the reason Irving was able to make such a seamless transition from the Nets to the Mavs is “because he’s talented. That’s how talented he is. He makes things look easy, he works on his craft, he’s a pro, is up for any challenge, and I think just the comfort level he has to be with us. You can see that in the game.”

Mostly, Kidd knows Irving has been there, done that and won a championship with the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2016. Thus, he’s impressed with his maturity level as a basketball player.

“He’s seen every defense, the top box, he can play without the ball, but I think his patience, Kidd said. “You can see he is at peace with his basketball game. He’s going to play his game.”

In Irving’s first game last Wednesday against the Los Angeles Clippers, he finished with 24 points and five assists. Dallas scored 41 points in the first quarter of that game, and Clippers forward Paul George noticed that the Mavs  were playing with a lot more fire in their belly.

“I thought (in) the beginning they played with a lot of juice,” George said following the Mavs’ 110-104 victory. “Kyrie had a lot of juice. You could tell he was fresh.

“New team, new environment, new group, so I thought they came out with that new attitude. That first quarter they came out aggressive.”

In Irving’s second game with the Mavs last Friday, he collected 25 points and 10 assists while leading Dallas to a 122-114 win over the Sacramento Kings. And in his third game with the Mavs this past Saturday, he had 28 points, seven rebounds and seven assists during a 128-123 loss in overtime to the Kings.

“For me, they told me to just be myself and come in and play basketball at a high level,” Irving said. “So, it’s pretty easy.”

Irving’s third game with the Mavs was the first time he played with Luka Doncic, who returned after missing four games with a right heel injury. Doncic wound up with 27 points, nine rebounds and five assists and liked the way he and Irving clicked on and off the court.

“It’s only our first game together, but I think it’s so fun to play with this guy,” Doncic said. “He’s an amazing basketball player. I think it’s going to be really fun.”

Irving echoed that sentiment.

“Grateful we got it out the way, but while I was out there it felt really special just in terms of the opportunities we had on both ends of the floor to really learn from one another and just gaining some more confidence,” Irving said. “Obviously we wish we could have gotten the win, but just learn from this and move forward. But was an exciting time to be out there with him.”

Following his first game with the Mavs, Irving said it “just felt good to get this debut out of the way. Just been a long 96 hours. Barely any sleep most of the times. Just packing my stuff up.

“First time I’ve been traded in the middle of the season, so it’s new for me. But I’m excited that I’m here and just keep things rolling now.”

And he certainly wants to keep things rolling, now that he’ll be playing in front of his new adoring fans for the first time tonight.

“I’ve had nothing but good things to say, great things to say about the Dallas Mavericks, even when we played them early in the season,” Irving said. “This is a well-coached team.

“They’ve had some success in the past. Well-run organization.”

*This is the Mavs’ final home game before the All-Star break. They have a road game in Denver on Wednesday, then will pause for the Al-Star break before returning to host the San Antonio Spurs on Feb. 23.

*Guard Tim Hardaway (right hamstring tightness) is questionable for tonight’s game, while center Maxi Kleber (right hamstring tear) and forward Davis Bertans (left calf strain) will not play tonight.

*The Mavs are in second place in the Southwest Division – four games behind the Memphis Grizzlies. The Timberwolves are in second place in the Northwest Division – 10 games behind the Denver Nuggets.

*While Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving will be representing the Mavs in this weekend’s All-Star game, the Timberwolves will be represented by Anthony Edwards, who averages 24.6 points and 5.9 rebounds per game.

*The Mavs are 5-2 in their last seven games, and Minnesota is 3-4 in its past seven games.

*Earlier this season, the Mavs split a pair of games in Minnesota. The Timberwolves defeated the Mavs, 116-106, on Dec. 19. The Mavs came back two days later and beat Minnesota, 104-99, behind 25 points, nine rebounds and 10 assists from Luka Doncic.

MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES (30-29) at DALLAS MAVERICKS (31-27)

When: 7:30 p.m., Monday

Where: American Airlines Center, Dallas

TV: Bally Sports Southwest

Radio: 97.1 FM The Freak; 99.1 FM Zona MX (Spanish)

Twitter: @DwainPrice