The race for the top spot in the Western Conference has turned into a four-team horse race between the Mavericks, Sacramento, San Antonio and the Los Angeles Lakers. Only 2 1/ 2 games separate the four teams, with each one jockeying for the best position heading into next month's playoffs.

The Mavericks appear to have the toughest remaining schedule because they play nine of their final 15 games on the road. That includes playing four sets of back-to-back games and going against 11 teams whose won-lost record is above .500.

"We went through our easy period about a week and a half ago, so now we're in one of our toughest positions of the year," Mavericks coach Don Nelson said. "San Antonio just went through an easy stretch, and now they're getting that tough schedule just like we are."