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Nuggets aim for fourth consecutive win

Apr 6, 2007 - 5:31 PM Dallas (62-12) at Denver (38-36) 10:30 pm EDT

DENVER (Ticker) -- The Dallas Nuggets aim for their fifth straight win Friday when they face the league-leading Dallas Mavericks.

Sparked by their winning streak, the Nuggets have gained the seventh spot in the Western Conference playoff race, one game in front of the Los Angeles Clippers (37-37) and 2 1/2 in front of Golden State (36-39).

The Nuggets also are just one-half game behind the Los Angeles Lakers (39-36) for the sixth spot.

Carmelo Anthony scored 31 points and fellow All-Star Allen Iverson posted his second straight double-double for Denver in a 120-115 triumph over Sacramento on Wednesday. Anthony has reached the 30-point mark in four consecutive games.

"We're still controlling our own destiny," Anthony said. "We can't really worry about what the Lakers are doing right now."

The Mavericks are closing in on clinching the Western Conference's best record. They could secure it in this contest with a win and if Phoenix loses to New Orleans.

On Tuesday, the Mavericks played without MVP candidate Dirk Nowitzki (sinus infection) but still posted a 97-93 win at Sacramento. He is questionable for this conest.

The Mavs played without Nowitzki in an 89-85 win over Denver on December 31.

Dallas will have to win each of its final eight matchups to join the 1995-96 Chicago Bulls as the only teams in league history to win 70 games.