The Mavericks are plunging into the final quarter of the season with a nine-game winning streak and the look of a tough-nosed playoff team that could take down anybody.

And that's with all apologies to Jason Terry's tough nose.

The Mavericks are in second place in the Western Conference, but the playoffs do not start today. That will come six weeks from now, when the annual smash-up that is the postseason in the Western Conference begins.

In that regard, it's interesting to note that the once-wild-wild West is considerably less wild at the moment. A month ago, there were 11 legitimate playoff candidates for eight spots.

Now, there are eight.

While they haven't officially punched their tickets yet, there are eight teams that have separated themselves by four games from everybody else. Things could change. But the likelihood grows dimmer by the day.

The LA Lakers, Mavericks, Nuggets, Jazz, Suns, Thunder, Spurs and Blazers are your playoff teams, barring a huge streak by Houston, Memphis or New Orleans.

How much fun is that going to be?

And how serious are the Mavericks to be taken?

"There's a lot of parity in our league," coach Rick Carlisle said. "We've been winning games, and when you're in a winning streak, you got to ride it and keep trying to roll with it and win as many as you can, because they don't happen like this very often.

"We've got a good team. We've got some All-Star caliber players, and the trade has really helped us. But I don't get too analytical about it. You respect it for what it is and you realize why good things have happened and continue to be steadfast about demanding that we do those things."

The sentiment around the league is that the Mavericks have elevated themselves to the level below the Lakers. That puts them with Denver, Cleveland, Orlando and Boston.

But the final 20 games will determine everything – not only with seedings, but with the fear factor that comes along with being the "danger" team heading into the playoffs.

Right now, the Mavericks are that team.

And it's the way they are playing through injuries and tough spots in the schedule that gives them that aura.

"This is the NBA. You can go out and get beat any night," Shawn Marion said. "But as long as you got that sense of urgency and you're the aggressor on the floor, everything else will take care of itself. If you go out there aggressive on offense and defense and you're not winning, then it's not your night to win.

"We're just waiting to see it all clicking. We haven't really scratched the surface."

That's what has the Mavericks optimistic, albeit cautiously.

A look at the West race, with comments by staff writer Eddie Sefko (records don't include Thursday's Utah-Phoenix game):

1. Lakers (46-16): Cruising to the top spot.

2. Mavs (41-21): Need to hold off the rest.

3. Nuggets (40-21): Can they recapture mojo?

4. Jazz (38-22): Home court is a big difference.

5. Suns (39-24): 8-2 since All-Star break.

6. Thunder (36-24): Would you want to play them?

7. Spurs (34-24): Old, tired and looking vulnerable.

8. Blazers (37-27): So many injuries – next year?