The Hornets guard averaged 34.8 points and scored a career-high 52 in a double-overtime win over the Utah Jazz. He surpassed his career best of 48 points set in the previous game, Saturday’s victory over Indiana.
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Cousins has seven 30-point, 10-rebound games so far in January.
The Kings will face Kemba Walker and the Charlotte Hornets, who have also been getting it together recently.
Cousins’ 56 points were the second-most by a player in a game in which his teammate had at least 20 assists (as Rajon Rondo did).
Center Spencer Hawes made four of the 3-pointers for Charlotte and finished with 18 points before fouling out in the fourth quarter.
Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins, left, pulls the ball away from Charlotte Hornets forward P.J. Hairston during the first quarter of an NBA basketball game Monday, Jan. 25, 2016, in Sacramento, Calif.
He became the first Kings player to record at least 108 points and 44 rebounds in a three-game span since Oscar Robertson tallied 109 points and 44 rebounds in 1961-62.
Sacramento Kings head coach George Karl talks about Monday’s heartbreaking double overtime loss to the Charlotte Hornets.
Darren Collison scored 15 points off the bench for the Kings and Omri Casspi had 13 points and eight rebounds.
DeMarcus Cousins vs. Kemba Walker – No, these two won’t face off head-to-head, but they will provide the bulk of the scoring for their respective teams. Daniels’ 3-pointer with 9.0 seconds remaining proved to be the game-winner.
For the second time this season, the Kings fell apart against the Hornets.
Cousins’ two free throws put Sacramento ahead 116-115 with 5.1 seconds left in regulation. However, Cauley-Stein subsequently fouled Walker on a drive to the basket, and Walker made one of two free throws to force overtime. Walker was fouled and made the first free throw but missed the second, sending the game to overtime.
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Charlotte outscored the Kings 42-28 in the third quarter which was the turning point in this one. An ex-King, Hawes was booed and heckled the entire game…. The Hornets played without F/G Nicolas Batum (toe) and C Cody Zeller (strained right shoulder), each of whom have missed three straight contests. He finished with 20 points and nine rebounds and two blocked shots in his first game back after missing two with a left heel contusion. Earlier in the day, Cousins was selected Western Conference player of the week. He was called for an offensive foul while competing for a rebound, headed to the bench in a headband-tossing fit and was nearly called for a technical.
