Mavericks clinch playoff berth for 3rd straight season

The Dallas Mavericks clinched a playoff berth for the third straight season Monday with their 101-92 win over the Utah Jazz.

In a bitter battle between two of the last playoff hopefuls in the West, it was the Mavericks' experience that won out. The veteran trio of Deron Williams, Wes Matthews, and Dirk Nowitzki combined for 65 points, while the blossoming Jazz struggled to generate quality offense.

The Jazz managed just two points during a crucial seven-minute stretch between the third and fourth quarter to allow Dallas to race away with the lead.

It didn't help that the Jazz were shorthanded, Derrick Favors played through a wonky knee, and point guard Trey Burke was unavailable. The Jazz were further hampered midway through the first half when rim protector Rudy Gobert sustained an ankle injury.

Nevertheless, the win sends the Mavericks through to the postseason for the 15th time over their last 16 seasons, while the Jazz now sit on the brink of elimination heading into the final game of the season.

Utah holds the same record as the Houston Rockets at 40-41, but the Rockets own the tiebreaker on account of a stronger conference record. The Jazz need to defeat the Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday and for the Rockets to lose to the Sacramento Kings to sneak into the playoffs.

The Mavericks can still finish anywhere between fifth and seventh.