Cousins Big Night Spoiled By Refs and Mavs

Boy that was something at Sleep Train Arena, but unfortunately it will end sour for the Sacramento Kings. The Kings who maintained a small lead throughout the first three periods, were unable to hold it in the fourth and in overtime as the Kings fall to the Dallas Maverick 108-104.

While watching the first period of the game the thought that came into my head frequently was how fast the pace was from both teams. Because of the high level of pace, it resulted in both teams getting easy baskets and high percentage shot attempts.

With that being said, I couldn’t say the same about the level of efficiency from both defenses. Because the rate of pace was so high from each team on the offensive side, it caused both clubs to be late getting set defensively.

Overall, the quarter ended how it started, by both teams continuing their fast pace of offense. Both teams were scoring efficiently, but it was the Kings that ended up on top by making a late run ending the quarter with a 33-29 lead. Notable player from the Kings in the first period of play was DeMarcus Cousins who scored 14 points.

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You would think that the players from both teams would get tired just after finishing a high pace first, however that wasn’t the case. In the second quarter, both teams continued to run the floor and score at a high rate as this basketball game started to become more of a track meet as the game progressed.

Throughout the quarter I was waiting for when the pace of the offense would start to slow down, but again like in the first it remained the same. The rate at which both teams were pushing the ball lead to easy points as the first half ended with the your Sacramento Kings maintaining a 63-60 lead.

Watching this first half of basketball should be encouraging for Kings fans to see. Although the defense needs to step up, fans are now starting to witness the type of offense Kings general manager Pete D’Alessandro envisioned his team running.

Entering the third quarter the inevitable finally came, the pace started to slow down from each team (but just a little bit). As the Kings started the second half, turnovers started to spill, especially during an abysmal 30 seconds of basketball around the 8 minute mark, where a sequence of three possessions resulted in three turnovers.

Despite the slow start in the third, the Kings kept their fight throughout the quarter which contained scrappiness from both ends of the floor and maybe a potential ESPN Top Ten Play (Cousins to Williams alley-oop). As a result, the Kings ended the quarter with an 83-80 lead. Cousins remains the player of the game nominee with 26 points, 10 rebounds, and 7 assists.

The fourth quarter started out strong for Sacramento as they were able to extend their lead even more. The pace continued to remain high, and the game remained it’s excitement to the very end.

As time kept ticking down, the Mavericks were able to claw their way back into the game, as the Kings double digit lead decimated to a single possession game in the final minute. After an egregious call giving Cousins his sixth foul (fouled-out), the Kings were without Cousins plus giving the ball back to Dallas with 21 seconds left with the score tied.

Fortunately for the Kings, Monta Ellis missed his jumper at the buzzer resulting in this game going into overtime.

Kings in overtime without both Cousins and Gay unavailable, how will they respond? Unfortunately, the Kings would fall short. The Kings although gave a valiant effort in OT, the Mavericks would complete the comeback giving them a 108-104 win.

Final Thoughts: Well the game contained lots of excitement, that’s for sure. The pace of the game was quick from both clubs and it’s the first time that I have seen the Kings execute well under the new revamped offense. It was also odd to see how both teams played so well offensively in the first half, but in the second half it was their defense that kept them in the game.

This game also reminded me of the many skills that Cousins has in his arsenal. Cousins was able to showcase each of those skills in this game, resulting in a complete game from the big man. Before getting fouled out, Cousins final stat line was 32 points, 16 rebounds, and 9 assists (1 short of a triple-double). A game like this can really help make the case that Cousins deserves a nod to the All Star Game.

Also, don’t think I forgot about Rudy Gay. The injury of Rudy Gay is definitely unfortunate. It’s reported that it is a knee injury, so the Kings should be cautious, considering the consequences that may occur if Rudy were to play prematurely.

Lastly, Carl Landry seemed to be bothered by his wrist throughout the game. Adrenaline might have helped him tonight, but the bothering of his wrist might potentially have him sidelined for the next game (maybe more).