The Nuggets and Warriors are battling for the last available playoff spot in the Western Conference, and Denver took a one-game lead over Golden State with three games to play.

Dallas grabbed the seventh post-season berth in the West Thursday with a 97-94 victory over Utah.

Carmelo Anthony added 25 points for Denver and J.R. Smith scored 24 off the bench. The Nuggets hit 50 percent of their shots from the field and, by defeating Golden State for the third time in four meetings, claimed the tiebreak advantage over the Warriors.

A combination of Denver wins or Golden State losses totaling two in the games remaining will send the Nuggets to the post-season.

Monta Ellis led Golden State with 29 points and both Al Harrington and Baron Davis had 20.