Don Nelson: Dallas Mavericks Can Compete with Anyone

And it even impressed the Warriors, who are locked in a battle with the Mavericks and Denver for the final two Western Conference playoff spots.

"The big difference was Nowitzki," Nelson said. "It was quite an inspiration to their ballclub. They just went to a different level than we’ve seen this year. If they can keep that level going, they’re as good as anybody in the West."

A boisterous crowd at American Airlines Center watched the Mavericks solidify their spot as the No. 7 seed in the Western Conference. They won the season series, 3-1, over the Warriors, giving them the tiebreaker should the teams end the season with identical records. [Dallas Morning News]