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Mavericks, Clippers face off in potential playoff preview

Apr 9, 2007 - 3:05 PM LA Clippers (37-38) at Dallas (63-13) 8:30 pm EDT

DALLAS (Ticker) -- The magic number for the Dallas Mavericks to clinch homecourt advantage throughout the playoffs is one.

The Mavericks, who own the league's best record at 63-18, can seal the top seed in the Western Conference with a win over the Los Angeles Clippers.

Dallas may face the Clippers in the first round of the playoffs.

Los Angeles (37-38) is one game ahead of the Golden State Warriors (37-40) and two games ahead of the New Orleans Hornets (36-41) for the Western Conference's final playoff spot with six games left.

The Clippers trail the Los Angeles Lakers (40-37) by two games for the seventh seed.

The Clippers, who have won seven of their last 10 games, are looking to get back on track after Saturday's 96-93 loss to the Denver Nuggets. Maggette scored 24 points, but the Clippers missed a chance to get above the .500 mark for the first time since February 5.

The Mavericks have won 11 of their last 13 games. Jason Terry scored 29 points in an 86-74 win over Portland on Saturday. Dallas played without All-Star forward Josh Howard (ankle).

Dallas is a league-best 34-4 at American Airlines Arena, including a 115-83 victory over the Clippers on December 22.