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Warriors control playoff destiny

Apr 17, 2007 - 4:01 PM Dallas (66-14) at Golden State (40-40) 10:30 pm EDT

OAKLAND, California (Ticker) -- The Golden State Warriors have the NBA's longest current playoff drought. They can end it at 12 years on Tuesday.

A win by the Warriors (40-40) over the Dallas Mavericks, coupled with a loss by the Los Angeles Clippers (39-41) against the Phoenix Suns on Tuesday, would clinch a Western Conference postseason berth for Golden State.

However, the Clippers will win a tiebreaker due to a better division record. So Los Angeles can stay alive for a playoff spot with a win on Tuesday even if the Warriors win.

Golden State finishes the regular season at Portland on Wednesday while the Clippers host New Orleans.

The Warriors have won three straight, including a 121-108 victory over Minnesota on Sunday. Jason Richardson had 32 points and 12 rebounds and Baron Davis added 17 and seven assists for the Warriors, who can become the only team to sweep the Mavericks in 2006-07. No Western Conference team has swept a season series from Dallas since the Los Angeles Lakers in 2000-01.

Even though the Mavericks have clinched home-court advantage throughout the playoffs, it might be in their best interests to knock off the Warriors, who they would meet in the first round next week.

Dallas beat San Antonio, 91-86, on Sunday. MVP candidate Dirk Nowitzki scored 21 points as did Devin Harris for the Mavericks (66-14).