Dallas Approaches Playoffs Precipice

Carmelo leads third-quarter charge as Nuggets roll, 118-105
By Jesse Andrews,  Newser Staff
Posted Mar 28, 2008 1:12 AM CDT
Dallas Approaches Playoffs Precipice
Dallas Mavericks guard Jason Kidd, left, blocks the path to the basket for Denver Nuggets guard Allen Iverson.   (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Jason Kidd's Mavericks remain winless against winning teams after Carmelo Anthony's Nuggets took control in the third quarter to win 118-105. It was a devastating loss for Dallas, which is now only one game ahead of Denver, the West's ninth place team, for the conference's final playoff spot. The Nuggets have the tiebreaker should they finish the season with the same record as the Mavericks, reports the Associated Press.

Dallas led 70-60 at halftime, but Carmelo Anthony's breakaway dunk gave Denver an 80-79 lead; after the teams traded baskets, Anthony made four free throws on a foul and two technicals, one on coach Avery Johnson. "I'm the only coach in the league that says one word and gets a technical," Johnson fumed after the game. (More NBA stories.)

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