Kings, Pistons Stay on Course

One last time, Sacramento and Dallas showed off the NBA’s two best offenses -- and one last time, Dallas couldn’t make the last shot.

Mike Bibby set career playoff bests with six three-point baskets and 36 points, and Dirk Nowitzki missed a shot at the buzzer as the Kings eliminated the Mavericks with a 119-118 victory Thursday night in Game 5 of their best-of-seven first-round series at Sacramento.

The Kings’ final three victories all came down to the final shot -- and Dallas failed on all three tries. Nowitzki, who had 31 points, couldn’t get free from Peja Stojakovic -- again an improbable hero on defense -- and bounced his shot off the rim as time expired.

Stojakovic scored 23 points for the Kings, who tied their franchise playoff record of 11 three-point baskets for the second time in the series. Sacramento needed every one of them, because the Mavericks held the Kings scoreless in the final 3:22.

The Kings knocked out the Mavericks for the second time in three seasons. Dallas beat Sacramento in seven games in last spring’s playoffs.

The Kings advanced to a probable meeting with the Minnesota Timberwolves, who could eliminate Denver tonight.

Detroit 91, Milwaukee 77 -- Tayshaun Prince had the best all-around postseason game of his two-year NBA career, scoring 24 points with a career-high eight assists and nine rebounds to lift the Pistons to a series-clinching victory in Game 5 at Auburn Hills, Mich.

“He probably was the most valuable player in the series,” Piston Coach Larry Brown said.

The Pistons will next face the New Jersey Nets, the two-time defending Eastern Conference champions who swept Detroit in the conference finals last season.

Game 1 is Monday night at Detroit.

“We’re a much better team than we were last year, and they’re about the same,” said Chauncey Billups, who had 19 points and six assists.

Detroit took control with a 30-point third quarter after scoring 39 points in the first half. Ben Wallace had nine points, 12 rebounds and four blocked shots.

“We fought hard all the way, so this doesn’t diminish what we’ve done,” said Milwaukee’s Michael Redd, who had 22 points. “We just ran into a better team.”