Mavericks dump Cavs to secure postseason berth
(Agencies)
Updated: 2004-03-31 14:25

Dirk Nowitzki poured in 35 points and grabbed 18 rebounds and Steve Nash scored a season-high 31 as the Mavericks thrashed the slumping Cleveland Cavaliers 126-109 in Dallas on Tuesday.

Milwaukee Bucks forward Desmond Mason (L) loses control of his dribble, and turns the ball over to Indiana Pacers forward Al Harrington in the first quarter at the Bradley Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, March 30, 2004. [Reuters]

Cleveland has now dropped six of its last seven games to fall two games behind the surging Boston Celtics in the battle for the eighth and final Eastern Conference playoff berth.

With the win, the Mavericks clinched their fourth consecutive postseason appearance.

Cleveland broke fast, seemingly unaffected by Monday's setback in San Antonio, taking the initial quarter 32-28.

Carlos Boozer led the way for the visitors, racking up 12 points and grabbing 10 rebounds before the period was done.

He finished with 23 points and a whopping 20 boards.

Rookie sensation LeBron James chipped in with 10 quick points, getting a rise from fans with a forceful jam midway through the quarter.

He wound up with 28 points.

The Cavaliers trailed by four at the break (64-60), then surged again in the third period.

They led 73-71 midway through the third before the Mavericks went on an 8-0 run to take command.

Rookie Josh Howard, a first-round pick in 2003, had a big part to play for Dallas, notching 19 points in 38 minutes.

Undrafted Marquis Daniels kicked in with 17 more.

In Milwaukee, Joe Smith scored 25 points and pulled down 14 rebounds to carry the Milwaukee Bucks to a 95-86 victory over Indiana, snapping the NBA-leading Pacers' four-game win streak.

In Philadelphia, the 76ers hardly missed former MVP Allen Iverson, Samuel Dalembert notching 18 points and grabbing 13 rebounds in a 95-71 romp over Golden State that snapped the Warriors' seven-game run of victories.

In Denver, rookie Carmelo Anthony racked up a career-high 41 points as the Nuggets outlasted the Seattle SuperSonics 124-119, their first win in three outings.

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