Nowitzki's Dagger Clinches Playoffs for Mavericks

[I Heart Gambling Online]

With Golden State losing to Denver the Mavericks simply needed to win to clinch a spot in the NBA playoffs. And Dirk Nowitzki made sure they clinched Thursday night.

Nowitzki hit a three-pointer with just 0.9 second remaining as the Dallas Mavericks defeated the Utah Jazz 97-94.

The Jazz almost stole the game from Dallas, Deron Williams hit a banking three-pointer while fading away to tie with just five seconds left. But Nowitzki showed his star power when the Mavs needed it most, and hit the three that has put Dallas in the playoffs.

Nowitzki led all scorers with 31 points while Jason Terry had 21. For the Jazz Williams had 18 points and 12 assists while Mehmet Okur had 19 points and 14 rebounds.

Even though the Mavericks clinched, they were able to cover as six-point favorites.

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