In their first opportunity to wrap up the top spot, the Mavericks never trailed by more than a basket. They started pulling away in the final minutes of the first half, going up by seven at the break, then scored the first six points of the third quarter. Nowitzki's flurry followed, but Dallas still needed Howard's 3 with 1:41 left to pull away for its franchise-record-extending 64th victory.
Warriors 126, Jazz 102
At Oakland, California, Stephen Jackson scored 28 points, Baron Davis had 19 and long-suffering Golden State climbed into the playoff picture.
Monta Ellis and Matt Barnes scored 16 points apiece for the Warriors, whose eighth victory in nine home games put them in eighth place in the Western Conference by a tiny margin over the Clippers, who have two games in hand.
Al Harrington had 15 points and 11 rebounds as the Warriors blew out Utah in the middle quarters, improving their improbable hopes for the club's first postseason appearance since 1994 -- even if their streak of 12 straight losing seasons continues.
Ronnie Brewer scored 21 points and Carlos Boozer and Matt Harpring scored 17 points apiece for Utah.
Rockets 95, SuperSonics 90
At Seattle, Tracy McGrady and Yao Ming (
McGrady was the offense in the first half, scoring 21 of his 27 points. Yao took control in the second half, with 15 of his 31 in the third quarter. Yao finished 11-for-11 at the free-throw line, and grabbed seven rebounds.
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