The Denver Nuggets are heading to their first Western Conference finals since 1985 after beating the Dallas Mavericks 124-110 on Wednesday night.

“It’s special. We worked hard in the offseason and training camp and throughout,” Carmelo Anthony said. “We stuck to everything, we overcame adversity, we stayed humble and our hard work paid off.”

Carmelo Anthony led the Nuggets in points with 30 while Chauncey Billups led the team in rebounds (7) and assists (12).

“He’s a leader,” Anthony said of Billups. “He came on this team and he brought a businesslike attitude to our team. He brought a defensive mindset we were looking for.”

The Nuggets will either face the Rockets or the Lakers in the Western Conference finals.