Mark Jackson has described the Golden State Warriors' triumph over the Dallas Mavericks as a "big-time win".
The Warriors' 108-85 victory is their fifth in a row, leaving them three wins clear of the Mavericks in the Western Conference standings.
The coach told reporters: "It's a big-time win for us. If you lose this game, then all of the sudden there's three teams again within striking distance.
"I think this gave us some breathing room, especially with the fact that we have a big game [tonight] against a red-hot Clippers team."
The Warriors face the Pacific Division leaders, the Los Angeles Clippers, later today.