• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers

Mavericks try to close in on playoff berth

Apr 10, 2008 - 2:08 PM Utah (52-26) at Dallas (49-29) 8:30 pm EDT

DALLAS (Ticker) - The Dallas Mavericks continue their postseason push on Thursday when they host the Utah Jazz.

Dallas enters Thursday's contest with a comfortable hold on seventh place in the Western Conference, two games ahead of the Denver Nuggets (47-31) and Golden State Warriors (47-31), but 3 1/2 games behind the Phoenix Suns (53-26).

The Mavericks have stabilized their playoff position with two straight wins and four victories in their last five games, including a 99-83 victory over the dismal Seattle SuperSonics on Tuesday.

Reigning MVP Dirk Nowitzki had 11 points and 12 rebounds against the Sonics and no longer seems troubled by the left knee and ankle injuries that kept him out for five games from March 23-April 2.

The Jazz (52-26) own fourth place in the West and are just one game behind the Los Angeles Lakers (53-25) and San Antonio (53-25) for third.

Utah extended its winning streak to four games and clinched the Northwest Division for the third consecutive season on Tuesday, forging a 77-66 victory against the Western Conference-leading New Orleans Hornets.