April 11, 2008 - The momentum swung back into the Denver Nuggets' favor in the race for the Western Conference's final playoff spot when they escaped Golden State with a 114-105 victory on Thursday night. Denver went a game up on the Warriors and also grabbed the tie breaker, should the two teams finish with identical records. The result also impacted the playoff fortunes of the Dallas Mavericks, who clinched with the combination of their 97-94 win over Utah and the Warriors' loss.

After getting blasted 37-22 in the first quarter, the Nuggets' bench was all the difference as they crawled back into the game; then, blew it open in the third quarter; then needed timely shots late to hold on for the win. Denver's rotation only went eight deep, but non-starters J.R. Smith, Eduardo Najera and Linas Kleiza combined to play twice as many minutes as Golden State's five reserves (63 to 30) and outscore them 34-7.

Of course, Allen Iverson (33 points, full 48 minutes) and Carmelo Anthony (25 points) showing up in their usual ways didn't hurt, either.

This is a dangerous Nuggets team coming together late, but one that may not have enough magic to re-create what the Warriors did in upsetting the top-seeded Mavericks in last year's playoffs. According to our sources with inside knowledge of the NBA, the New Orleans Hornets are "pretty good." They aren't yet a lock for the No. 1 seed, but currently hold a one and a half game lead over the Los Angeles Lakers. United or not, Denver is no match for either team.

The Real Difference Maker in Dallas
Of all that was made of the Mavericks' trade to acquire Jason Kidd in February, the quick return of Dirk Nowitzki from heinous-looking knee and ankle sprains has made the difference between playoffs and early vacation. He knocked down the winning 3 with 0.9 seconds left against Utah on Thursday night, marking the Mavs' fourth win in five games since his return from the lineup. Dallas clinched a playoff berth with the win and finds itself in a more enviable position than last season - entering the playoffs without the pressure of expectation.

Hawks Still Control Own Fate ... Barely
The Atlanta Hawks did themselves no favors on Tuesday when they lost in Indiana and were forced to duke it out for the Eastern Conference's eighth playoff berth. A win would have pushed their lead over the Pacers to four games with four to play, but instead, the Hawks have a two-game lead and defer the tiebreaker to Indiana. Atlanta still sits in the driver's seat for the East's final playoff spot, but the Pacers have gotten back into the picture by going 9-3 in their last 12 games.