NBA ROUNDUP | Thursday’s games

Nuggets 114, Warriors 105

OAKLAND, Calif. — Allen Iverson scored 33 points and J.R. Smith added 24 off the bench as Denver took control of the race for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference. The win moved Denver (48-31) a full game ahead of the Warriors in the race for eighth place in the West with only three games remaining. The Nuggets also control the tie-breaker, meaning they can clinch their fifth straight playoff berth by winning two of their final three games. Golden State (47-32) probably will need to win its final three games and hope Denver loses twice to avoid the distinction of being the winningest team ever to miss the NBA playoffs. Houston won 45 games in 2000-01.

Mavericks 97, Jazz 94

DALLAS — Dirk Nowitzki swished a 3-pointer with 0.9 seconds left, giving Dallas a victory that also clinched a playoff berth. Dallas got in on the combination of the victory and Golden State losing to Denver. With three games left, the Mavericks have a two-game edge on the Nuggets for the No. 7 seed. Nowitzki scored 32 points for the second time in five games since returning from knee and ankle injuries. The victory wasn’t sealed until Deron Williams, who banked-in a tying 3-pointer with 5.8 seconds left, missed a long 3 with Nowitzki flying at him.

Associated Press