SACRAMENTO, Calif. ? Of all the resources at Sacramento's disposal, its airplane-hanger of a home court may be the most powerful of all.

With rabid spectators pressed against the court, Arco Arena has become a difficult place for opponents. The atmosphere is loud and disconcerting, making this the closest the NBA comes to a college setting.

"We get that extra energy from our fans," forward Peja Stojakovic said. "We feel we can make any kind of shot we take there."

The Mavericks' season series against Sacramento turned because they punctured the Kings' feeling of invincibility at home. The league's winningest road team at 27-14, the Mavericks were at their best in what forward Dirk Nowitzki calls "the toughest building in the league."