PHOENIX ? By the time the Mavericks started the second half Wednesday, they knew their fate. Which meant that by early in the third quarter, all the Mavericks starters were on the bench, resting for the opponent that took 82 games to identify ? the Minnesota Timberwolves.

San Antonio beat Utah, so the Midwest Division would not be the Mavericks', no matter what they did at America West Arena. That achievement ? not moving up from the No. 4 spot that the Mavericks secured in their 89-76 loss to Phoenix ? was the Mavericks' main goal.

"It's exciting to have such a close race," Raef LaFrentz said. "But we just wanted to win the division."
With the team's fate sealed, coach Don Nelson was content to let Steve Nash rest his sore back, let Dirk Nowitzki keep his sore left ankle from further aggravation, and even let Michael Finley rest to prepare for a battle against the fifth-seeded Timberwolves that begins Sunday at American Airlines Center.