Bibby and Kings eliminate Dallas in Game 5

Peja Stojakovic contributed 23 points and 10 rebounds for the Kings, who captured the series four games to one and avenged a seven-game second-round loss to their West rivals last season.

"Peja was good the whole game at both ends of the court," said Kings coach Rick Adelman. "He was a key guy against this team."

Brad Miller added 21 points in the victory for the Kings, who will now face the winner of the series between Denver and Minnesota.

Dirk Nowitzki led the Mavericks with 31 points and 14 rebounds, while Steve Nash chipped in 24 points and a game-high 14 assists in the loss. Marquis Daniels scored 19 points and Antawn Jamison added 17 for Dallas.

These teams met for the third straight year in the post-season. Sacramento dismissed the Mavericks in five games in the 2002 conference semifinals.

Leading by three, 119-116, in the closing minute, Bibby stole the ball and the Kings looked to increase their lead, but a missed layup was collected by the Mavericks.

After a timeout, Nowitzki’s putback brought the visitors within one. On the ensuing trip up the floor, Bibby committed a turnover with six seconds left, which gave the visitors one last possession.

Dallas worked the ball into Nowitzki’s hands along the right wing. He briefly lost control, but regained possession before his 18-footer at the buzzer hit the front rim and fell short.

"We deserved to go to the line on that last play," said Dallas head coach Don Nelson. "There was no call. We should be heading home (to play Game 6)."

The Mavericks are now 2-7 all-time at ARCO Arena in the post-season.

The visitors jumped out to a big advantage in the opening 12 minutes, leading 21-8 with over five minutes remaining in the period. A basket by Chris Webber cut the deficit to seven, 27-20, but the Mavericks notched 10 of the next 14 points and led 37-24 heading into the second quarter.

The Kings trailed by 15, but used a mammoth 21-7 run to pull within one, 55-54, with just under 3 1/2 minutes to play in the first half. The spurt was highlighted by six points from Darius Songaila and was capped by a Bibby jumper.

However, Dallas settled down and when Nowitzki nailed a three-pointer with 25 seconds to play, the Mavericks took a 66-63 advantage into the locker room.

The score remained tight throughout the third and Miller’s inside bucket with under four minutes to go brought the Kings within one at 88-87. Miller continued to keep the Kings in the game with another basket before his three- pointer ended the quarter with the score even at 96-96.

"Our main guys are going to win games like this," said Adelman.

Bibby dominated the fourth, draining two shots from beyond the arc and keeping the Kings in front with a total of 12 points in the quarter. His long jumper gave Sacramento a 119-114 lead with 3:35 remaining in regulation.

"Our inability to control Bibby was probably our demise." said Nelson. "He played a marvelous game."

Nash then converted on the other end, as Dallas stayed close, 119-116 near the three-minute mark.

Both teams shot 50 percent or better from behind the arc.