OK, just to review:

Dallas (50-31) is currently seventh in the Western Conference standings. Denver (49-32) is eighth.

The Mavericks play New Orleans tonight. Denver plays Memphis.

The playoff math is simple. If Dallas beats New Orleans, Dallas is the seventh seed. If Dallas loses and Denver wins, Denver is the seventh seed, by virture of its 2-1 record vs. the Mavs during the regular season.

Golden State (48-33) is out of it.

The Lakers will play the eighth seed in the first round of the playoffs, which start Saturday. The Lakers will most likely open Sunday.