DENVER — Carmelo Anthony nailed another clutch 3-pointer in yet another pivotal situation. It's all part of his postseason evolution.

Anthony's latest long-range jumper sent the Denver Nuggets to a 124-110 win over the Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday night and into the Western Conference Finals for the first time in 24 years.

Up next for Denver will be either the Los Angeles Lakers or the Houston Rockets. The Lakers lead the series 3-2 with Game 6 on Thursday night in Houston.

The Mavericks pulled to within six midway through the fourth quarter, when Anthony took the inbounds pass and with 2 seconds on the shot clock, hit a turnaround 25-foot jumper at the buzzer.

Thing of beauty?

More like luck.

"If I told you I knew it was going in, I'd be lying to you," said Anthony, who finished with 30 points. "I think that shot right there sparked the momentum for us."