Updated playoff picture: Pelicans make life tougher for Mavs

There was only one game that impacted the Western Conference playoff standings on Thursday, but it was a costly one for the Mavericks.

The New Orleans Pelicans won at Denver against a Nuggets’ team playing without likely MVP Nikola Jokic. The 107-88 blowout not only showed how ordinary the Nuggets can look without their superstar (at home, no less), but also pushed the Pelicans to 39-38. They also own the tiebreaker, for the moment on the Mavericks.

The Mavericks’ next chance to make up ground from 11th place comes Saturday at Miami.

Here’s the updated race for spots four through 12 in the Western Conference.

4. Phoenix, 41-35, ————– Den, @OKC, SA, Den, @LAL, LAC.
5. LA Clippers, 41-36, ½, —– @Mem, @NO, LAL, Port, @Phx.
6. Golden State, 40-37, 1½, — SA, @Den, OKC, @Sac, @Port.

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7. Minnesota, 39-38, 2½, ——– LAL, Port, @Brook, @SA, NO.
8. New Orleans, 39-38, 2½, —– LAC, Sac, Mem, NY, @Minn.
9. LA Lakers, 38-38, 3, ———- @Minn, @Hou, @Utah, @LAC, Phx, Utah.
10. Oklahoma City, 38-39, 3½, — @Ind, Phx, @GS, @Utah, Mem.

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11. Dallas, 37-40, 4½, ———— @Mia, @Atl, Sac, Chi, SA.
12. Utah, 36-40, 5, —————- @Bos, @Brook, LAL, OKC, Den, @LAL.

Twitter: @ESefko