Sports

Playoff ready? Mavs fire on all cylinders, make statement in high-stakes battle with Kings

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SACRAMENTO — As expected, there was playoff atmosphere and playoff intensity Tuesday night in Golden 1 Center to match the mammoth playoff implications. But by early in the third quarter, the visiting Mavericks were so dominant that normally boisterous Kings fans were stunned silent, and by halfway through the fourth period of Dallas’ 132-96 rout of Sacramento the patrons streamed for the exits.