NBA: Denver 103, Dallas 101

DALLAS, March 27 (UPI) -- Carmelo Anthony scored 43 points Friday and the Denver Nuggets survived two Dallas chances in the final seconds to defeat the Mavericks 103-101.

Denver swept the Mavericks in a season series for the first time in franchise history.

Anthony came within two points of his season high and led the Nuggets to a 10-point lead at the start of the fourth quarter.

Dallas rallied to take the lead briefly but trailed by one in the closing moments. Dirk Nowitzki and Antoine Wright then missed shots in the final 6 seconds and Anthony made 1-of-2 free throws with a second remaining to account for the final score.

The Nuggets narrowly held on despite shooting 56 percent from the field to the Mavericks' 35 percent. Dallas stayed in the game by grabbing 20 offensive rebounds and turning the ball over just four times.

Dallas also shot 19 more free throws than Denver did.

The Nuggets won for the seventh time in eight games and are in a tie with Houston for third place in the Western Conference.

Nowitzki led Dallas with 26 points. The Mavericks lead Phoenix by three games for the final playoff spot in the West.