Rookie Doncic scores 35 as Mavericks top Cavaliers 111-98

CLEVELAND (AP) — During his 21-year NBA career, Dirk Nowitzki has seen plenty of talented young offensive players.

The Dallas rookie sensation matched his season high with 35 points and did a little bit of everything, and Harrison Barnes scored 13 in the fourth quarter to lead the undermanned Mavericks to a 111-98 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Saturday night.

With a contingent of fans waving Slovenian flags to support Doncic, the 19-year-old showed why the Mavericks are so excited about their future. He added 11 rebounds, six assists and made a couple long 3-pointers that drew gasps from the Quicken Loans crowd.

"For a 19-year-old, he's got as good an all-around game as I've ever seen," Nowitzki said. "He's got it."

Barnes made three 3-pointers in the fourth and finished with 17 points, and rookie Jalen Brunson added 15 for the Mavericks, who played their second game since acquiring star Kristaps Porzingis from New York in a blockbuster trade. Tim Hardaway Jr., Courtney Lee and Trey Burke also came in the deal but are not eligible to play until their physicals are completed.

Jordan Clarkson scored 19 and Larry Nance Jr. had 11 points and 12 rebounds for Cleveland.

The Cavaliers, who have been dealing with injuries all season, suffered another one as forward Cedi Osman went out in the first half with a right ankle injury and did not return.

Due to the trade, Dallas coach Rick Carlisle had only nine dressed players.

Fortunately, one of them was Doncic, who sat out Thursday's game in Detroit with a sore left ankle.

Doncic scored 18 points in the first quarter, when he became the sixth player since 2000 to score 1,000 points before turning 20. LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Carmelo Anthony, Devin Booker and Dwight Howard did it before Doncic, who will be 20 on Feb. 28.

Doncic finished the first half with 28 points, 10 in the final 3:56 after the Mavericks went more than six minutes without a field goal.

However, it was Brunson and Barnes who had the bigger impact in the second half. Shortly after replacing Doncic, Brunson converted a 4-point play with 8:56 left and Barnes made his 3s, the last giving Dallas a 106-91 lead with 4:34 left.

"When Luka was out of the game that's when we actually took control," Carlisle said. "In the second half we had more attitude. I liked our second half. Everyone was bad in the first half defensively."

Drew was impressed with Doncic.

"He's a terrific player," he said. "He plays with confidence. He's a facilitator, and it doesn't look like he gets too rattled. He plays under control, inside and out."

TIP-INS

Mavericks: Made 9 of 14 3-pointers in the first quarter and finished 16 of 39 behind the arc. ... Carlisle hopes Hall of Fame voters recognize the accomplishments of former NBA coach Bill Fitch, whom he called "a master" with "staggering accomplishments." Fitch won 944 games over 25 seasons, but Carlisle believes he doesn't get enough credit for rebuilding several franchises, including the Cavaliers. Fitch gave Carlisle his coaching start, hiring him after cutting him with the Nets.

Cavaliers: Rookie G Collin Sexton shot 4 of 17. ... Drew doesn't expect F Kevin Love to return for Tuesday's game against Boston. Love hasn't played since Oct. 24 following left foot surgery. Love began participating in contact scrimmages this week. ... G David Nwaba returned after missing 18 games with a sprained left ankle. He scored 12 points in 15 minutes. ... It was a doubleheader of sorts for three Cleveland players — G Kobi Simmons, F Deng Adel and F Jarod Blossomgame — who were on the floor earlier in the day as the G League Canton Charge hosted the Windy City Bulls.

TEEN IDOL

Doncic became the fourth teenager in league history with seven 30-point games, joining LeBron James (20), Carmelo Anthony (10) and Kevin Durant (7).

"Everyone knows LeBron is my idol, so to be compared to him is amazing," Doncic said.

DIGGING DIRK

Nowitzki received nice ovations each time he checked in or out. The 40-year-old has not officially announced his retirement, but Cleveland fans showed their love to one of the NBA's most popular players. Nowitzki did not attempt a shot in nine minutes.

Following the game, Nance proudly held an autographed Nowitzki jersey he planned to frame immediately.

Nance later visited Dallas' locker room and spoke to Nowitzki.

"I just want to say thank you so much," Nance told the All-Star. "I'm a big fan."

ROAD TOUGH

The win was just the Mavericks' sixth in 27 road games.

UP NEXT

Mavericks: Host Charlotte on Wednesday.

Cavaliers: Host Boston on Tuesday.