By DWAIN PRICE
Star-Telegram Staff Writer

SACRAMENTO, Calif. - When the Mavericks left Dallas on Friday to play the Sacramento Kings, the goal was to at least gain a split in the first two games of this Western Conference semifinal series.

But their series' goal will be in need of some reconstruction if the Mavericks are unable to capture Game 2, scheduled for 8 tonight at Arco Arena.

A loss by the Mavericks tonight would mean they would have to win four of the next five games of this best-of-seven series to advance to the next round. That's not a hole the Mavericks want to escape.

But clearly, the Mavericks have to put on a better performance tonight than the sluggish show they displayed Saturday in Game 1, which resulted in a 108-91 victory for the Kings.