Mavs clinch home-court advantage

Apr 10, 2007, 3:15 GMT

Dallas, TX - Dirk Nowitzki scored 26 points as the Dallas Mavericks clinched home-court advantage throughout the NBA playoffs with a 96-86 win over the Los Angeles Clippers at American Airlines Center.

Jerry Stackhouse added 18 points for Southwest Division champion Dallas, which clinched the top mark in the Western Conference. The Mavs, winners in 12 of their last 14, lead second place Phoenix by six games with five to play.

Josh Howard tallied 16 points and Devin Harris had 14 for the Mavs, who gave the Clippers a taste of what the postseason will be like if they qualify.

The Clippers fell into a tie for the final playoff spot with Golden State. The Warriors beat the Utah Jazz, 126-102, on Monday night. Los Angeles, though, has six games remaining compared to just four for the Warriors.

Corey Maggette scored 24 points to lead Los Angeles, which has dropped two in a row after a three-game win streak. Elton Brand added 20 points for the Clippers.

Dallas broke open a close game in the third quarter. The Mavs scored the first six points of the frame, capped by a Howard three-pointer for a 58-45 lead a minute into play. Nowitzki later increased the lead to 15 points, 66-51 after a pair of free throws with 6 1/2 minutes to play and the Mavs cruised into the fourth with an 80-67 advantage.

'That was a good stretch,' said Dallas head coach Avery Johnson. 'We came out of the locker room ready at halftime. We put together a good stretch and that's pretty much where we got a cushion.'

Over the final 12 minutes, the Clippers could only get within eight points, 94-86, and that was with less than a minute to play after a Jason Hart bucket.

Hart ended with 14 points and eight assists for the Clippers, who trailed 30-27 after one quarter and 52-45 going into halftime.

'They're a good team,' said Hart. 'They went to a championship last year, so they are well equipped. They know what to do and they know what they have to do to get buckets, and they play together as a team. So speaking of playing in the first round, we have to get there.'

Game Notes

The Mavs improved to 35-4 at home this season...Dallas has won five straight at home...Howard returned to the lineup after sitting out Saturday's game with an ankle injury...Dallas has won two of the three meetings against the Clippers this season...With the best record locked up, Nowitzki and Stackhouse will not be with the team for their next road trip.

© 2007 The Sports Network

Game Notes

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