Kings hope to send Mavs packing

With the Kings leading the series 2-1, Mike Bibby scored a game-high 22 points to lead Sacramento over Dallas, 94-92, in Game 4 on Monday at American Airlines Center.

Peja Stojakovic added 20 points and 11 rebounds for the Kings, who received 13 points and 15 rebounds from Doug Christie. With Monday’s win, Sacramento snapped a four-game playoff slide in Dallas.

Dirk Nowitzki posted 21 points and 14 boards for the Mavericks, who lost the first two games of this series at ARCO Arena. Michael Finley finished with 16 points for Dallas in the loss, while Steve Nash scored 11 points, grabbed seven rebounds and dished out nine assists.

The Mavericks have won four of their last seven Game 5s in the postseason, while the Kings are 3-3 in their last six Game 5s.

Dallas is 3-1 in its last four playoff games when facing elimination. The Mavericks have never comeback to win a best-of-seven series when trailing 3-1.

Sacramento is 1-3 in its last four playoff games when it has the chance to knock their opponent out of the postseason. The Kings have never fell in a best-of-seven series after they grabbed a 3-1 advantage.

The Kings and the Mavericks are meeting for the third straight year in the postseason. Dallas eliminated Sacramento in seven games in the 2003 Western Conference semifinals, while the Kings dismissed the Mavericks in five games in the 2002 conference semifinals.

The Mavericks are 2-6 all-time at ARCO Arena in the postseason.

If Dallas wins tonight, Game 6 would be played on Sunday at American Airlines Center.

The winner of this series will meet the victor of the Denver/Minnesota matchup.