RESULTS, SCHEDULE

at Dallas 97, Utah 94: Dirk Nowitzki made a three-point basket with 0.9 of a second left, clinching a playoff berth for the Mavericks. Nowitzki scored 32 points for the second time in five games since returning from knee and ankle injuries. The victory wasn’t secured until Deron Williams, who banked in a tying three-pointer with 5.8 seconds left, missed a long three-point attempt with Nowitzki flying at him. The Mavericks led by 14 points early, but neither team led by more than five over the final 15 minutes. Utah had won four in a row.

Denver 114, at Golden State: 105: The Nuggets moved one game ahead of the Warriors in the final Western Conference playoff spot.

Lakers 106, at Clippers 78: The Lakers (54-25) moved 1 1/2 games behind first-place New Orleans (55-23) going into tonight’s game against the visiting Hornets.