DMC Receives 16th Technical in Kings Win
By: Morgan Ragan
The Kings end a five-game losing streak after beating the Timberwolves at Sleep Train Arena Sunday, 106-103.
Isaiah Thomas was active for the first time in 10 games. He started the game with high energy for the Kings scoring six of his 14 points in the first quarter.
DeMarcus Cousins tied his season-high of 35 points and recorded his 53rd double-double for the season. He passed Vlade Divac for the Kings Sac-era career scoring list with 5,178 points, which puts him in 8th.
With 1:13 left in the game Cousins received a technical foul, his 16th technical for the season. Per league rules he will be suspended for the final game on Wednesday against the Suns.
"I feel for him, he has made an effort to handle his emptions and not get that tech. It's disappointing because I know it meant a lot to him and he has been making great strides in that area," head coach Michael Malone said about Cousins
Cousins has 13 games this season with at least 30 points and 10 rebounds. Only Kevin Love and Kevin Durant have more such games.
Corey Brewer was coming off a 51 point game for Minnesota and only finished with 10 and Kevin Love was hard to stop, scoring 43 points and grabbing 11 boards.
Ben McLemore stepped up and finished with 19 points and three boards for the Kings.
"I was happy for McLemore, he had one of his best games as a King, played both ends of the floor at a high level," Malone said.
Reggie Evans was active but didn't play, coaches decision and Rudy Gay sat out another game due to his lower back strain. Jason Thompson started for Sacramento and rookie Ray McCallum came off the bench for Thomas.
Analysis:
Cousins late technical did not take away from his game as a whole. He was unstoppable and the Timberwolves did not have an answer for him. The play following the technical Cousins took the ball to rack and threw it down putting the Kings up by four.
There are rumors that head coach Rick Adelman will be retiring after this season, although nothing is confirmed the Kings dedicated a "thank you" video to him before the game and he received a standing ovation from the Sacramento crowd.
