Dallas tries to draw even with Kings

• Tweet

SACRAMENTO, May 6 (UPI) -- The Dallas Mavericks seek to even up with the Sacramento Kings Monday night in Game Two of an NBA semifinal Western Conference playoff series matching the NBA's highest-scoring teams.

The Mavericks averaged nearly 113 points per game in sweeping Minnesota in the first round but were held to 39 percent shooting in Saturday's 108-91 loss to the Kings.

"That wasn't us," said Mavericks guard Nick Van Exel. "You'll see us on Monday night."

Determined to play at a breakneck pace, the Mavs exhibited poor shot selection and were just 6-of-23 from three-point range.

Dallas must make adjustments to contain Chris Webber and Vlade Divac, who dominated the low post in the series opener for the top-seeded Kings.

Webber overcame early foul trouble to collect 20 points and 10 rebounds. He scored 13 points in the third quarter, when the Kings broke the game open. Divac controlled the paint on both ends, totaling 18 points and 16 rebounds as he exploited the Mavericks' soft interior defense.

The inside play spread the court and allowed Sacramento sharpshooter Peja Stojakovic to score 26 points.

The Kings scored 64 points in the paint and also controlled the backboards, holding a 53-43 advantage.

The Mavericks' Dirk Nowitzki, who averaged 33.3 points per contest in the sweep of Minnesota, was held to 23 on 8-of-24 shooting in Game One.

"I think they know they didn't see our best effort," said Mavericks point guard Steve Nash.

The series shifts to Dallas for Games Three and Four Thursday and Saturday.