The Dallas Mavericks bounced back from a three-game losing streak, including a controversial loss to the New Orleans Pelicans on Wednesday, to beat the Oklahoma City Thunder on Friday night. OKC entered the game tied for the NBA's best record and had just beaten the other team with the top record by 20 points.

Like the new kid at school who gets bullied by the older kids, sometimes the best advice a parent can give involves consequences — fight back and stand up for yourself, suspensions be damned. The Oklahoma City Thunder might need to apply that mindset against PJ Washington in their next matchup against the Dallas Mavericks.

That decision forced the Thunder to stick close to the Mavericks' role players throughout the first quarter. Once Washington scored the first five points, Irving asserted himself and drained a 3-pointer before finishing at the basket with a finger roll to give the Mavericks an early 10-0 lead.

Kyrie Irving got brutally honest on the Mavericks' brewing rivalry with the Thunder after Friday night's game.

Kyrie Irving has surpassed Kobe Bryant on a prestigious list in fewer games after the Mavericks' victory over the Thunder

The Thunder are currently 16-4 on the road with a point differential of +13, while the Mavericks have a 5-5 record in their last ten games at home.

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