LOS ANGELES - Some postgame notes and quotes after some time to reflect on the Kings' most impressive win of the season.
*The Lakers have Tyreke Evans and Francisco Garcia to blame for what DeMarcus Cousins did to them.
Cousins was the best big man on the floor at Staples Center Friday night, looking more like Pau Gasol than Gasol did in the Kings' 100-95 win.
"Tyreke has been complaining to me all year to just shoot the shot," Cousins said. "Just
shoot it. And Francisco told me to come out and be aggressive (Friday night). That's what I did."
The rookie's 27-point effort was more impressive than the 28 points he scored against Phoenix because it came against one of the best frontlines in the NBA.
Cousins made six of his first seven shots. The start was similar to what he did Monday in Portland except Cousins wasn't in foul trouble.
Cousins played 32 minutes and was called for only one foul. Cousins did so while still being aggressive on defense.
*The Cousins-Samuel Dalembert combination has figured prominently in the last three wins.
Dalembert's ability to defend Amar'e Stoudemire, LaMarcus Aldridge and Pau Gasol frees Cousins of foul trouble (even though Cousins still found foul trouble in Portland with cheap fouls away from the basket).
The bonus has been Dalembert able to score in the wins. He had 18 points against the Lakers and 15 points against the Trail Blazers.
*Looking back at the last three wins for the Kings, they've all been on the road against teams with winning records (New York, Portland, Lakers).
It's something Lakers coach Phil Jackson noted before the game in saying the Lakers
The win ended an eight-game losing streak to the Lakers.
That's what makes Kings hard to figure out. They can't hold leads against Detroit and Golden State on the road or Portland at home, but can look so poised on the road against good teams.
*The test of how much the Kings have matured will be tonight. It won't be based on if the Kings win or lose against New Orleans, it will be about their effort.
If the Kings treat beating the Lakers as the pinnacle of the season, they could easily be embarrassed by the Hornets, who have won 10 in a row and 15 of 19.
The Hornets haven't played since winning at Golden State on Wednesday.
--Jason Jones
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