Sports

Playoffs hang in balance as Nowitzki, Mavericks hit road to start season-ending 7-game stretch

Associated Press
Published | Updated

Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban, far left, stands on the court during an official review at the end of a NBA basketball game against the Golden State Warriors, Tuesday, April 1, 2014, in Dallas. Golden State won 122-120 in overtime. (AP Photo/Matt Strasen) (The Associated Press)

Dallas Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki (41) drives on Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) in the first half of an NBA basketball game, Tuesday, April 1, 2014, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Matt Strasen) (The Associated Press)

Dirk Nowitzki and the Dallas Mavericks have seven games to avoid landing in the lottery for a second year in a row after 12 straight seasons in the playoffs.

It's almost like a postseason series for the franchise that hasn't won a playoff game since taking the title in 2011. Except the first four games are on the road. And the Mavericks likely will have to win more than four to make sure they advance.

If the Mavericks can't beat the playoff-bound Los Angeles Clippers on Thursday night, they'll have no choice but to take care of the suddenly moribund Lakers in the same arena a night later.

An overtime loss to Golden State left Dallas a half-game out of the final playoff spot in the Western Conference.