How it happened: Eight-time All-Star Vince Carter had a turn-back-the-clock kind of performance to lead the Mavericks to a blowout over the Kings.

Carter lit it up for 26 points in 24 minutes, making 9-of-15 shots from the field and 6-of-9 from 3-point range. The 36-year-old sixth man caught fire in the third quarter, when he torched Sacramento for 17 points, hitting five 3-pointers.

The 3-pointer Carter hit on the Mavs' final possession of the third quarter -- a shot he celebrated with a Jordan-esque shrug of his shoulder -- bumped Larry Bird down a spot on the all-time scoring list. Carter ranks 29th with 21,796 career points.

Carter's brilliance against the NBA's worst defensive team highlighted one of the Mavs' best offensive performances of the season. They've scored more points in a game only once, a 126-99 win over the Charlotte Bobcats in the third game of the season.

Point guard Darren Collison had an outstanding outing, scoring 18 points on 7-of-12 shooting and dishing out nine assists with only two turnovers. Dirk Nowitzki had an efficient, all-around night, putting up 17 points on 6-of-9 shooting, eight rebounds and six assists.

What it means: The Mavs won three of four games on their homestand heading into the All-Star break to improve to 23-29. They extended their home winning streak against the Kings to 18 games and have won 14 of 15 overall against Sacramento.

Play of the game: O.J. Mayo's two-hand slam finished a fast break in which the ball never touched the floor. Shawn Marion got a steal under the basket and fired a bullet outlet pass to Collison at halfcourt on the right side of the floor. Collison immediately found Mayo streaking down the middle of the lane for the dunk that stretched Dallas' lead to seven midway through the second quarter.

Stat of the night: The Mavs are 11-2 against teams playing the second night of a back-to-back at the American Airlines Center this season.