Clippers visit Dallas

The Clippers are one game ahead of the Golden State Warriors for the final playoff berth in the West. Golden State has just five games left on its schedule, while the Clippers have seven contests remaining.

Los Angeles, which opens a three-game road trip, attempts to rebound from a tough loss. On Saturday, Allen Iverson scored 34 points and came up with a big play in the closing moments as the Denver Nuggets edged the Clippers, 96-93, at the Staples Center.

Corey Maggette ended with 24 points and Elton Brand scored 22 and grabbed 13 rebounds for the Clippers, who had their three-game winning streak halted. Cuttino Mobley netted 13 and Chris Kaman contributed 12 points in defeat.

The Clippers are just 13-24 on the road this season. They will visit the Hornets on Tuesday at the Ford Center and will act as the visitor against the Lakers on Thursday at the Staples Center.

The Mavericks can clinch home-court advantage throughout the NBA playoffs with a victory tonight.

Dallas wraps up a short two-game homestand. Jason Terry scored 29 points, as the Southwest Division-champion Mavericks picked up a 86-74 win over the Portland Trail Blazers on Saturday at American Airlines Center.

Devin Harris scored 18 points for Dallas, which has split its last four games after ripping off nine straight wins. Dirk Nowitzki scored 11 points and DeSagana Diop and Austin Croshere both grabbed 10 rebounds in the win over Portland for the Mavericks.

On the injury front for Dallas, forward Josh Howard (ankle) sat out Saturday’s game against Portland. Howard, who is averaging 19.2 points and 7.0 rebounds this season, was injured during Friday’s 75-71 loss at Denver. He is questionable for tonight’s contest.

The Mavericks are a league-best 34-4 at home this season. They have won four in a row at American Airlines Center. Dallas will visit Kevin Garnett and the Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday at the Target Center.