Warriors to meet Mavericks in NBA playoffs

Golden State Warriors players Stephen Jackson (1), Mickael Pietrus (C) and Al Harrington (R) celebrate after win against Portland Trail Blazers in Portland, Oregon, April 18, 2007. The win secured the first playoff appearance in 13 years for the Warriors.

NEW YORK (Reuters) - The Golden State Warriors' return to the NBA playoffs has earned them a first-round meeting with the league-leading Dallas Mavericks.

The Warriors, who made the playoffs on the final day of the season on Wednesday, face the Mavericks in Dallas on Sunday in the opening game of the best-of-seven Western Conference series.

It will be the Warriors's first post-season appearance in 13 seasons. The matchups were finalized on Wednesday, the last day of the NBA regular season. The playoffs start on Saturday.

The Miami Heat are the defending NBA champions.

Fixtures (seedings in brackets)

Playing on Saturday

Eastern Conference

Orlando (8) at Detroit (1)

New Jersey (6) at Toronto (3)

Miami (4) at Chicago (5)

Western Conference

Utah (4) at Houston (5)

Playing on Sunday

Eastern Conference

Washington (7) at Cleveland (2)

Western Conference

Golden State (8) at Dallas (1)

Los Angeles Lakers (7) at Phoenix (2)

Denver (6) at San Antonio (3)

(Writing by Gene Cherry in Raleigh, North Carolina)