The highly coveted sixth spot in the Western Conference playoff race is on the line when the Dallas Mavericks and Sacramento Kings open a four-day, two-game series in the California capital on Tuesday night.
Both teams held their position in a sixth-place tie with wins on Monday. Dallas (42-29) opened a five-game trip with a 115-105 triumph over the Utah Jazz, before the Kings (42-29) tipped off a five-game homestand with a 108-96 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers.
The teams will tip off two games behind the New Orleans Pelicans and Los Angeles Clippers, who are tied for fourth at 44-27, and a half-game ahead of the eighth-place Phoenix Suns (42-30).
The Kings need a win either Tuesday or in the rematch on Friday, which they also will host, in order to clinch the season series from the Mavericks. Sacramento posted earlier 129-113 and 120-115 wins at Dallas.
Only the top six finishers in the Western race are guaranteed playoff spots. Teams No. 7-10 in the fi...
