The DeMarcus Cousins Administration Withstands Williams' Barrage, Beats Lakers 97-96 On The Road
THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, Los Angeles, Calif. – DeMarcus Cousins had 40 points, 12 rebounds, eight assists, and two steals to help the Sacramento Kings take a 97-96 victory on the road against the Los Angeles Lakers. The Kings won their fourth consecutive victory.
Sacramento was cornered in the second half by allowing Lakers guard Lou Williams score 24 points when he only made five in the first 24 minutes. The Kings also survived a last-second shot by Williams, who launched it about 35 feet.
The Kings also squandered a 13-point lead in the fourth quarter. The Lakers surged with a 15-4 run to tie the game 79-79 early in the fourth quarter. It was not an impressive win to say the least, though the Kings survived and advance to Oakland Feb. 15 to play the Golden State Warriors.
“It was lousy basketball down the stretch,” Cousins said. “I think we took a step back in that fourth quarter. When we get leads like that we have to find a way to grind it out and make it hard for the opponent. Tonight we almost lost. It was more luck than anything.”
Sacramento Kings player Matt Barnes ties one of his twin son's shoes while his teammates' Darren Collison and Anthony Tolliver great the youngster at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. Publicity Agents photo art by T. Ray Harvey. Feb. 14, 2017.
Darren Collison had 13 points, eight assists, and five rebounds while Ben McLemore added 13 points, three rebounds and made three shots beyond the arc for the Kings (24-32, 12-17 road). Collison had to play nearly 40 minutes again with Ty Lawson still sidelined.
Despite the extra time on the floor, Collison is stepping up to the occasion with his performances. He had a tough assignment covering Williams.
“I’m alright. We got one more game before the (All Star) break,” Collison said. “I’ll be alright. If we win it helps me a lot. In our position, every game is crucial for us. We can’t look pass nothing and we have to focus on what is at task. So, as far as circumstances you can’t really look at it.”
Williams had 29 points, five assists, and two steals for the Los Angeles Lakers (19-38, 12-14 Staples Center). Julius Randle had 11 points, seven rebounds, and two assists for the Lakers. Los Angeles was also 8-for-15 from the free throw line.
“Definitely wanted to get a win. Especially, with a week off,” Williams said. “A lot of times, if you lose a basketball game, you want to have the opportunity to redeem it in the next day or so. So we’re going to have to sit on that for a week.”
The Kings are without Lawson, Garrett Temple, and Omri Casspi, but they have gotten stronger and wiser with pure determination. Win ugly or lose pretty, the DeMarcus Cousins Administration is playing with no fear in sight.
“We’ve lost some big pieces to our team, but at the same time it’s giving guys opportunities to come in and step in to fill those roles,” Cousins said. “I think guys have accepted the challenge and doing more than expected. It’s a credit to them for being ready, being professionals, and when their name is called they are ready to play.”
By T. Ray Harvey | PA Public Information Officer and Photographic Artist
Twitter: Tony Ray Harvey @PublicityAgents
PA’s PUBLIC INFORMATION:
Ty Lawson sat another game for the Kings with a left adductor strain. Most likely, he’ll be out until after the All-Star break.
Isaiah Barnes and Carter Barnes get to workout with the Sacramento Kings before the team played the Los Angeles Lakers. Publicity Agents photo art by T. Ray Harvey. Feb. 14, 2017.
T. Ray (Antonio) Harvey is a Public Information Officer and Photographic Artist for Publicity Agents. Harvey is also the author of The HOMICIDAL HANDYMAN OF OAK PARK: MORRIS SOLOMON JR.
