J.J. BAREA scored 27 points and the Dallas Mavericks kept a slim cushion over Utah and Houston in the race for the last two Western Conference playoff spots with an 88-86 victory over the Rockets on Wednesday night.

    The Mavericks’ fifth straight victory put Dallas (40-38) a game ahead of Utah and two up on Houston with four games remaining for all three teams.

    Dirk Nowitzki was limited to seven points on eight shots, but had a crucial strip of James Harden on a drive in the final seconds with the Mavericks clinging to a one-point lead.

    Harden scored 26 points and Dwight Howard had 14 points and 16 rebounds for the Rockets, who are in danger of missing the postseason a year after reaching the West finals.

    The Rockets have won three of the last four games in Dallas, including one victory in the first-round series, which Houston won in five games on the way to the West finals.(SD-Agencies)