Mavericks clinch playoff spot, rip Jazz (AP)

[ASFN Admin]

The Dallas Mavericks have clinched the final playoff spot in the Western Conference and taken a huge step to possibly avoiding the No. 8 seed -- and a first-round series against the Los Angeles Lakers. Dirk Nowitzki scored 31 points, with a dozen in a row in one stretch, and the Mavericks beat Utah 130-101 Wednesday night to match the Jazz for seventh place with four games left.

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