Kings Blog and Q&A

FINAL
Nuggets 122, Kings 97

The Nuggets sat their starters the entire fourth quarter and still scored the most points allowed by the Kings this season. Denver shot 54 percent, led by reserve center Javale McGee, who scored 19 points on 7-of-9 shooting.

Isaiah Thomas had 20 points for the Kings, mostly on 13-of-15 free-throw shooting. DeMarcus Cousins added 19 points and 11 rebounds.

The Kings (7-16) have now lost four consecutive games after their season-best three-game winning streak. They play tomorrow night at Phoenix.

THIRD QUARTER
Nuggets 97, Kings 67

This one has gotten away from the Kings. Six different players are in double figures for the Nuggets, led by Danilo Gallinari (18 points) and Javale McGee (17 off the bench).

The Kings' season-high number of points allowed is 119. That's certainly within reach for the Nuggets, who are shooting 59 percent.

DeMarcus Cousins and Jason Thompson both have double-doubles for the Kings, Cousins with 19 points and 11 rebounds, and Thompson with 16 and 10.

Ty Lawson hit a three-pointer over Thompson with 6:37 left in the quarter to give the Nuggets a 26-point lead, their largest at the time. Thompson spun away in frustration and Kings coach Keith Smart got up and called a timeout.

There have been no outbursts from Smart toward his team, after he lit into them during a timeout during the Kings' loss to Oklahoma City on Friday. But Smart did pick up a technical foul for walking to half-court and barking at the officials after Cousins went up for a shot, drew significant contact and was not awarded a foul.

It was the third technical for the Kings in the game. They now have 16 on the season.

Cousins has not been pleased with the officiating on several plays. With 1:19 left in the quarter he went in for a dunk attempt, clanged it off the rim and was left looking around in vain for a foul.

Kings guard Marcus Thornton has not rejoined the team and will miss a third consecutive game today, head coach Keith Smart said. Thornton has been at home in Louisiana with his ill mother. Smart did not have a clear idea of when Thornton might return.

"When things settle down for him and his personal issues he's dealing with, with his family, then he'll get back to us," Smart said.

Smart and Thornton both hail from Baton Rouge, and Thornton said last year that his mother and Smart's family attend the same church. Smart said he has been in contact with Thornton and the guard is "in good spirits with everything going on. We've just got to wait. When he's ready he'll be back."

So the Kings (7-15) will take on the Denver Nuggets (12-12) without their third-leading scorer. The Nuggets and Kings rank first and fourth in the NBA, respectively, in scoring in the paint. Both teams like to run as well, though Smart said the Kings need to be smart about the shots they take today and get back in transition.

"Transition opens up a lot of their threes, the way they push the ball," he said. "Last year they came in and ran real fast in this building, so that's the No. 1 thing for us. We've got to make sure we don't take a lot of quick shots, more emphasis on ball movement tonight and body movement.

"With a quick shot, you put their point guards right at the top of the floor for a quick outlet and (they're) up the floor right away. You've got to make sure the ball is moving, players are moving, so you don't have the same alignment for an easy rebound, kick-out and fly up the floor."

-- Matt Kawahara

OKLAHOMA CITY - During his pregame media session, Oklahoma City coach Scott Brooks was asked to assess the Kings.

He like, like many coaches, noted the number of players the Kings have a lot of talented players. Brooks even singled out Isaiah Thomas.

"He's a speedster up the court,"

Thomas' 26-point performance came in the second half of the Kings' 113-103 loss to the Thunder.

Thomas dropped 23 points in the fourth quarter. It would be easy to nitpick and say Thomas got going against backups or that the Thunder let up with a big lead. Or you could say he was a gunner (no assists).

Regardless, Thomas stepped in and played with an intensity that was noticeably missing from the Kings. Like last season when he won a starting job with his leadership and savvy play, Thomas brought both against the Thunder to cut into a 24-point lead.

And Thomas and four other subs put enough fear into Brooks that he had to put Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook and Serge Ibaka back in the game to secure the win.

"My job what to come in and just play no matter what," Thomas said. "If we're down 30 or we're up 30. I'm going to be me and bring energy and be aggressive on the offensive end. That's what I did and that's what that group of five did."

It's not like Thomas knew he'd have a big role in the second half. Jimmer Fredette was the first point guard off the bench Friday night. In the platoon between Fredette and Thomas, the first player off the bench usually plays while the other watches.

"Nah, that never happens really," Thomas said when asked if he was told to get ready for the second half. "It is what it is. I'm just going to always stay ready. That's what I was born to do. Whatever the circumstance is, I'll be ready."

After the game, Kings coach Keith Smart said he wants players to "win" minutes. Thomas would have appeared to have won some minutes lately.

Thomas played key minutes in the last game the Kings won (a week ago at Portland). And by showing the leadership the Kings need more of on the court, Smart has to find a way to get Thomas more involved.

*Thomas didn't have an assist, but James and Fredette each had two assists during the fourth-quarter rally. Thomas also had an assist.

The Kings had five assists in the first half, but tallied six in the fourth quarter, five coming from reserves.

*Oklahoman columnist John Rohde joked with Brooks that the Thunder should have a day off if they had 30 assists. Rohde was close. The Thunder had 29, 13 by Westrbook. That's the most by a Kings opponent this season.

*Tyreke Evans on Smart's angry timeout in the third quarter when starting lineup couldn't or wouldn't run plays correctly:

"I don't know," Evans said of what was going wrong on the court. "We got the message when he called the time out. So that was a good timeout by him."

Within three minutes of game time of that timeout, all five starters were out the game.

*John Salmons was visibly frustrated with the one-on-one play. He was trying to run plays, when other players wouldn't cooperate.

In the first half Salmons stood on the wing wide open calling for the ball but didn't get a look. That's bad considering he's been the Kings' best facilitator of late.

FINAL
Thunder 113, Kings 103

OKLAHOMA CITY - Isaiah Thomas scored 23 points in the fourth quarter as the Kings cut a 24-point deficit to five with 3:21 to play, but it was too much for the Kings to overcome.

After a third quarter that featured the starters' inability to run the offense, share the ball and take quality shots, Kings coach Keith Smart used back ups most of the fourth quarter.

Thomas, Jimmer Fredette, Chuck Hayes, James Johnson and Thomas Ronbison played most of the fourth quarter and forced the Thunder to bring back three starters to close the game.

Thomas finished with 26 points. His fourth-quarter total was just short of the Sacramento-era record for most in a quarter by a Kings. Mitch Richmond had 25 points in a quarter Dec. 15, 1995 at Houston.

Tyreke Evans had 21 points for the Kings (7-15), who have now lost three in a row after a three-game winning streak.

Kevin Durant led all scorers with 31 points. Russell Westbrook had 13 points and 13 assists for the Thunder (19-4).

THIRD QUARTER
Thunder 82, Kings 68

OKLAHOMA CITY - Kings coach Keith Smart was quite upset with his team's execution, or lack thereof, during a third quarter timeout.

He spent an entire 20-second timeout getting into his players after calling plays and having them not run and the team settling for contested shots.

The quarter started out well with a 7-0 run by the Kings, but the led was never cut to single digits.

The Kings look much better on offense when more than one or two players touch the ball, but too often they are caught dribbling into traffic or taking and taking wild shots under duress.

Tyreke Evan has 20 points to lead the Kings.

Kevin Durant has 25 points for the Thunder.

HALFTIME
Thunder 61, Kings 42

OKLAHOMA CITY - The Thunder doubled-up the Kings, 32-16 in the second period.

The Thunder used a 22-4 run to blow the game open and take a 56-36 lead with 2:37 left in the quarter.

The Kings, meanwhile, struggled to figure out what they were doing on offense. Sacramento shot 5 of 16 in the quarter and for the half have only six assists (two fewer than Thunder guard Russell Westbrook).

Tyreke Evans leads the Kings with 11 points. DeMarcus Cousins and Jason Thompson each have 10 points.

Kevin Durant leads the Thunder with 17 points. Kevin Martin has 14 points. Westbrook has 10 points and eight assists.

FIRST QUARTER
Thunder 29, Kings 26

OKLAHOMA CITY - The Kings are shooting well and five different players have scored. But the Kings trail because they've given up 12 points off six turnovers already.

DeMarcus Cousins had eight points and five rebounds to lead the Kings. He has one of the six turnovers. Five different players have at least one turnover.

The Kings shot 52.9 percent (9 of 17), made all eight of their free throws and out rebounded the Thunder 12-9.

Kevin Durant leads the Thunder with seven points. Russell Westbrook has six points and three assists.

The Thunder is shooting just 41.7 percent (10 of 24) so the turnovers have allowed Oklahoma City to stay in the lead.

OKLAHOMA CITY - DeMarcus Cousins will be back from a one-game suspension, but the Kings will still be without Marcus Thornton when the Kings play the Oklahoma City Thunder tonight.

Thornton will miss his second game while in Louisiana with his ill mother. No timetable is set for Thornton to rejoin the team.

Cousins was suspended for hitting Dallas guard O.J. Mayo in the groin Monday. Cousins said it was an accident but the NBA still suspended him for Wednesday's loss at Milwaukee.

Cousins said he's still trying to understand why he was disciplined by the league.

"I don't even feel like I'm doing anything wrong," Cousins said. "I'm just playing ball and I'm going to continue to do that."

Cousins said Kings management and the coaching staff have talked to him about the Mayo incident and the other incidents that have led to fines and suspensions.

"They're just saying what everybody else is saying," Cousins said. "Coach (Keith Smart) has talked to me but everyone else is giving me the same political answer."

That same political answer is:

"Stop giving them stuff to mess with you about or whatever," Cousins said.

Kings basketball president Geoff Petrie said the Kings are doing their best to support Cousins, who has been suspended twice by the league this season.

"We're really continuing to try and work with him and get him grow past and understand that all the things that get him into situations that are not healthy for him or the team," Petrie said. "Everyone continues to support him but at the same time we're trying to get him learn the boundaries."

Added Petrie:

"We have people that are willing to work with him that are independent and private beyond our staff."

Petrie also said nothing that has happened has led him to believe Cousins should be traded.

So I asked Cousins did he feel he had all the support needed to deal with the situations that have led to problems with the league.

"I ain't fixing to get into all that," Cousins said. "I'm just going to play ball and try my best to stay out these situations."

MILWAUKEE - The Kings played like the Kings we're used to seeing in losing their second consecutive game Wednesday night, 98-85, to the Milwaukee Bucks at Bradley Center.

All the passing and ball movement that was the rave during last week's three-game winning streak was gone.

The Kings had just 14 assists, or three more than Bucks guard Monta Ellis. If the Bucks hadn't built a big lead in the fourth quarter, Ellis probably would have had more assists than the Kings. The Kings didn't' pass Ellis in total assists until the fourth quarter.

(You can hear Keith Smart break down how bad their scoring rate is when they don't pass the ball in the video below).

The Kings' shot selection was bad. Too many contested shots and trying to beat the man off the dribble. The point guards could have done a better job trying to set up teammates.

And the griping about officiating was back in a big way. Even though the Bucks were called for only two fewer fouls (20-18) and shot just three more free throws (24-21).

Already down two of their three leading scorers (DeMarcus Cousins, Marcus Thornton) the Kings needed to play team basketball. By not doing so, they let a very winnable game get away.

Next up is Oklahoma City. That won't be easy.

*Thomas Robinson played with great energy and hustle (eight points, eight rebounds) but he's got to shoot better to stay on the floor and not miss the easy ones. Robinson was 3 of 9 from the field.

*The Kings have 37 turnovers in their last two games. They had 17 against Milwaukee, five by Tyreke Evans in his first game back after missing the previous three with a sore left knee.

Evans said after the game that was unacceptable on his part and something he'd look to correct for Friday's game.

*The Kings had only three steals. Cousins actually leads the Kings in steals so besides rebounding, that's another area he was missed because of his NBA suspension.

Speaking of Cousins, here's his take on his suspension via Twitter.

Of course the media was going to hype that situation they need what ever " negative story " they can get on me ,but no it wasn't intentional

— demarcus cousins(@boogiecousins) December 12, 2012

But I'll take this one on the chin as well ...🚶🎯

— demarcus cousins(@boogiecousins) December 12, 2012

Cousins said from the start hitting O.J. Mayo in the groin was an accident and that he was trying to get Mayo's hand off him.

But what matters is Stu Jackson didn't believe Cousins. Does his reputation hurt him? Yes. That's why Cousins has to be above the fray at all times. At this rate, it will take a couple of years of great play and no drama to erase the first couple of months of the season from the minds of the public.

*The Kings weren't happy finding out Cousins was suspended three hours before their games. The incident happened Monday and the Kings were off Tuesday. So they went through morning shootaround assuming Cousins would play.

In both Cousins' suspensions, the team was informed the day of the game even though they had a day off in between games.

When Robinson was suspended for elbowing Jonas Jerebko, the Kings found out the next day (an off day).

The league even announced Toronto forward Amir Johnson's suspension on Tuesday for his mouthpiece toss on Monday night. Toronto was also off Tuesday.

FINAL
Bucks 98, Kings 85

MILWAUKEE - Playing without two their top-3 scorers, the Kings predictably had trouble scoring in losing to the Bucks Wednesday Night at Bradley Center.

And Tyreke Evans' the Kings' second-leading scorer, was coming off the bench after missing three games because of a sore left knee.

The Kings shot 37.2 percent (32 of 86).

Evans has 17 points in his return. John Salmons added 16 points.

Brandon Jennings had 19 points for the Bucks while Monta Ellis had 17 points and 11 assists.

THIRD QUARTER
Bucks 68, Kings 62

MILWAUKEE - The Kings began the quarter on a 9-2 run, but still couldn't overcome their own poor shooting to take the lead.

John Salmons has 13 points to lead the Kings.

Salmons scored 11 points in the quarter as the Kings shot 42.9 percent (9 of 21) which is actually good for the Kings tonight.

The Bucks shot 34.8 percent (8 of 23)

HALFTIME
Bucks 49, Kings 39

MILWAUKEE - It hasn't been an exhibition of good offense for either team.

The Kings are shooting 34.1 percent (14 of 41) and have 11 turnovers. The Bucks are shooting 39.1 percent (18 of 46).

But the Bucks closed the half on a 17-7 run after blowing a 13-point lead early in the second quarter and allowing the Kings to tie the game at 32.

Tyreke Evans has nine points off the bench for the Kings but also has three fouls. Jason Thompson has a game-high eight rebounds. But not much has gone right overall for the Kings. They have only five assists and have been outrebounded 31-24.

Keith Smart has already used every player he has available.

Luc Mbah a Moute led the Bucks with 13 points. Monta Ellis has a game-high seven assists for the Bucks.

FIRST QUARTER
Bucks 29, Kings 19

MILWAUKEE - Both teams are without key players tonight, but the Bucks have managed to start the game well.

The Kings shot 31.8 percent (7 of 22) and had five turnovers, which are big reasons the Kings have never led. The Bucks aren't shooing great (11 of 27, 40.7 percent) but have nine offensive rebounds and seven second-chance points.

That's where not having DeMarcus Cousins (NBA suspension) hurts the Kings most.

The Kings started Travis Outlaw at power forward and Jason Thompson at center without Cousins.

Tyreke Evans came off the bench in his first game back after missing three (sore left knee) and scored a team-high nine points.

Brandon Jennings led the Bucks with six points.

Beno Udrih, Epke Udoh, Mike Dunleavy and Larry Sanders are all out for the Bucks.

The Kings are also without Marcus Thornton, who is with his mother who is ill.

MILWAUKEE -- Kings guard Marus Thornton (personal reasons) will not play tonight against the Milwaukee Bucks.

Thornton is in Louisiana visiting his mother. She has been ill recently.

"I couldn't say but everyone thought he was unhappy with his time and how he was playing," said Kings coach Keith Smart. "And I just kind of had to go along with that knowing what was happening and see what it was doing to him."

Thornton might rejoin the team in Oklahoma City, where the Kings play Friday. Smart, however, won't rush him back.

"For me as a coach, you've got to come back when your mind is right," Smart said.

MILWAUKEE - DeMarcus Cousins has been suspended for tonight's game against the Milwaukee Bucks for hitting O.J. Mayo in the groin Monday night in Dallas.

Cousins has maintained it was an accident.

"In slow motion it looks like I did on purpose," Cousins said yesterday. "But you look in real speed you see what happened. Of course it's gonna get thrown out there that I did it on purpose."

Cousins was informed last night the league was reviewing the incident (see video below).

The Kings, however, weren't informed of the league's decision until about three hours before tip-off.

That didn't give Kings coach time to prepare for not having Cousins.

"They're making the message very, very, clear that there's nothing you can do that won't be seen by our eyes," Smart said.

This is Cousins' second suspension from the NBA this season. He was suspended two games last month for confronting San Antonio television analyst Sean Elliott after a game in Sacramento.

"DeMarcus has to be a bigger man and move away from anything that may happen because what it does is it hurts our team," Smart said. "It hurts him big time but it hurts our team. A perimeter guy we might be able to fill in but with the skills that he has it really sets us back. He has to grow out of this and move beyond because it does do things to our team and we have to keep in focus what's important for the team. It's not any issue with one player but how it affects our overall team."

MILWAUKEE - DeMarcus Cousins didn't sit back and take insults from Dallas Mavericks guard O.J. Mayo, who said Cousins had mental issues, among other things after Monday night's game.

"I heard," Cousins said. "This coming from a guy that doesn't have a great image himself. So what does his really mean? I'm fine with it."

Mayo had problems with the NCAA in his one season at USC. After leaving for the NBA, the school would determine Mayo was ineligible his lone season for receiving improper benefits.

Mayo was also involved in a flight on the team plane with teammate Tony Allen over a gambling debt in 2010. Mayo has also been suspended 10 games for testing positive for a steroid.

Mayo said Cousins could be a franchise player "but I don't think he wants it."

"Is he a franchise player?" Cousins said. "So how is he going to tell me what I am."

Cousins said he hadn't heard from the NBA about being disciplined and he didn't expect to be for hitting Mayo below the belt, which Cousins said was an accident.

"In slow motion it looks like I did on purpose," Cousins said. "But you look in real speed you see what happened. Of course it's gonna get thrown out there that I did it on purpose."

Cousins added he knows he's not a dirty player so Mayo accusing him being one does not bother him.

*Then there was Dallas coach Rick Carlisle, who had some profane words for Cousins during the game.

"We made a run (in the third quarter)," Cousins said. "I started clapping and the man said "eff off. I said eff you and was it. And I still got scrutinized like I did something wrong."

*Kings coach Keith Smart likened what happened to Detroit Lions defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh, who was fined for kicking Houston quarterback Matt Schaub in the groin area.

"We just saw that NFL a couple weeks ago with the young man in Detroit. A play happens and right away because of his history, it's something, it's bigger than what it is. As a coach in the NBA I really don't have time for that. I've got 14 individual corporations I've got to worry about and try to manage and the last thing I want to manage is conversations, what guys are saying about why a guy did this or that. I'm moving to the next game."

*Back to basketball matters. Tyreke Evans practiced today and is expected to play tomorrow against the Milwaukee Bucks.

"We got him up-and-down the floor and did some 5-on-5 stuff," Smart said. "I think he'll be ready to go tomorrow. He's still going to be a little winded because obviously you get away from game activity. But overall with the things we tried to do today, trying to get ready for the game tomorrow he was pretty good.

DALLAS - DeMarcus Cousins isn't making many new friends in Texas.

First he got on the league's bad side for angrily confronting San Antonio Spurs television analyst Sean Elliott after a game.

Cousins was given a two-game suspension by the NBA for leaving the locker room to deal with Elliott for comments he was told about during the game.

Now Cousins is being described as someone with "mental issues" by Dallas Mavericks guard O.J. Mayo for what happened in the second quarter of Monday's loss to the Mavericks the video below.

You will see Cousins strike Mayo below the belt after shoving him away moments earlier while fighting for position in the second quarter..

For the record, Cousins said that was unintentional.

(At this rate I'm leery of what might occur when the Kings play the Houston Rockets).

Cousins has the talent to be an All-Star but he's becoming more known for shenanigans than basketball.

Anger with Cousins isn't limited to the players.

Dallas coach Rick Carlisle with a profanity-filled message for Cousins after he clapped heading toward the Kings' bench in the third quarter of Sacramento cut the Mavericks' lead to 11.

Players around the league love Cousins' talent. They don't like that he seems to always find himself involved in something that is unnecessary.

In one of the more famous groin incidents, Reggie Evans was fined $10,000 and assessed a flagrant foul two for violating one of the most sacred of man laws during the 2006 NBA Playoffs (see below).

So I assume Cousins, at the very least, will be fined by the league for this if it agrees with Mayo and the Mavs that there was nothing accidental about Cousins shot to Mayo's groin.

If that happens, Cousins will join Evans in infamy. Then again, it might be too late for that.

*The Kings will practice this afternoon when they arrive in Milwaukee. Tyreke Evans (sore left knee) is scheduled to practice with the hope he'll be ready for Wednesday's game against the Bucks. Evans has missed the last three games and five of the last six.

*Have to assume Francisco Garcia has done enough to stay in the rotation when Evans does return. The odd man out could be James Johnson, who was behind Travis Outlaw Monday against the Mavs.

Garica is shooting 47 percent (16 of 34) in three starts for Evans. That includes making 50 percent of his threes (10 of 20).

*Smart plans to tinker with the second unit by keeping a player that commands attention (Evans or Cousins) in with the backups.

When Smart went to Jimmer Fredette, Marcus Thornton, Thomas Robinson, Chuck Hayes and Outlaw in the second quarter on Monday, the offense couldn't overcome the Mavs who were able to focus on Thornton without fear any of the other players could hurt them.

FINAL
Mavericks 119, Kings 96

DALLAS - The Kings' three-game winning streak was ended in a blowout loss to the Dallas Mavericks at American Airlines Center.

The Kings committed 20 turnovers (leading to 32 points for Dallas) and allowed the Mavs to shoot 55.2 percent.

The Kings played without Tyreke Evans, who missed his third consecutive game with a sore left knee. Cousins has missed five of the last six games.

DeMarcus Cousins had 25 points and six rebounds for the Kings (7-13). Francisco Garcia also had 25 points, making 7 of 12 three pointers. The seven threes were a career-high.

O.J. Mayo led Dallas (11-10) with 19 points. Chris Kaman had 18 points).

The Kings have lost 17 consecutive games in Dallas.

THIRD QUARTER
Mavericks 88, Kings 70

DALLAS - The Kings cut the deficit to 77-66, but got no closer after trailing by 28 in the first half.

Francisco Garcia (20 points) has matched his career high with six made three pointers. DeMarcus Cousins has 23 points and Jason Thompson has 11 points and 12 rebounds.

But that's not early enough to overcome the Mavs, who are shooting 53 percent or Sacramento's own mistakes. The Kings have 15 turnovers and are shooting 44.1 percent.

HALFTIME
Mavericks 65, Kings 43

DALLAS - The Kings went to their second unit and this game got out of hand quickly.

A run that began at the end of the first quarter stretched into a 28-4 run into the second quarter. The Kings shot 4 of 16 with seven turnovers, six committed by reserves.

The starters weren't able to seize momentum back as the Kings fell behind by as many as 28 points in the quarter.

The Kings are shooting 38.5 percent and have 12 turnovers in the game. The Mavs have 19 points off turnovers.

The Mavs are shooting 55.6 percent led by O.J. Mayo and Chris Kaman with 16 points apiece.

DeMarcus Cousins has 13 points to lead the Kings.

FIRST QUARTER
Mavericks 36, Kings 29

DALLAS - After a slow start and falling behind by eight points, the Kings did well to get back in the game. But after taking a brief two-point lead (23-21), the Kings were their own biggest problems.

The Kings have five turnovers that Dallas has converted into nine points. The Mavs haven't turned the ball over yet.

The turnovers helped fuel the Dallas offense. The Mavs shot 52 percent, while making 4 of 8 three pointers.

Aaron Brooks has eight points and three assists for the Kings. O.J. Mayo has 12 points and Chris Kaman has 10 points for Dallas.

UPDATE
Tyreke Evans will not play. Francisco Garcia will start for Evans.

1. Evans update: Just spoke to Tyreke Evans (sore left knee) as he left the locker room to test his knee out again. He's not wearing a brace and will decide if he will play after working out again. Can't be any more of a game-time decision.

2. Streaking: Marcus Thornton is in the midst of the wrong kind of streak. He's scored in single digits in three consecutive games, easily his worst offensive output over three games this season.

3. More bench support: With Thornton struggling someone else has to provide offense from the bench. Saturday night it was Travis Outlaw. Jimmer Fredette and Isaiah Thomas have also been productive off the bench. That's why the Kings have managed to win three consecutive games with Thornton struggling.

4. The hook shot: DeMarcus Cousins tried to use a hook shot more at Portland and shot 6 of 17. It wasn't exclusively because of that, but it was enough to frustrate him to tell coach Keith Smart he wasn't going to work on the shot anymore. Smart showed Cousins' film from the game to show how close he was to making the shots. Perhaps he won't abandon it tonight.

5. The wildcard: Francisco Garcia and Outlaw were surprisingly effective after not playing much. Who might Smart surprise us with tonight?

PORTLAND - It was all bad just a week ago.

The Kings had been beaten badly at Staples Center by the Los Angeles Clippers last Saturday. They looked disinterested and morale was low.

Things have changed.

FINAL
Kings 99, Trail Blazers 80

PORTLAND - The Kings won their third consecutive game impressively, blowing out the Portland Trail Blazers, 99-80, at Rose Garden.

The Kings were 0-6 on the road before tonight.

The game was tight in the third quarter but turned in the Kings' favor when seldom-used Travis Outlaw entered the game.

Outlaw would finish with 11 points off the bench and was one of six Kings (7-12) in double figures.

DeMarcus Cousins and John Salmons each had 19 points. Cousins had 12 rebounds while Salmons added a season-high 11 assists.

LaMarcus Aldridge led Portland (8-12) with 17 points. J.J. Hickson added 14 points and 15 rebounds.

THIRD QUARTER
Kings 77, Trail Blazers 65

PORTLAND - The Kings didn't go to their bench much in the third quarter (except for Travis Outlaw for 5:18) and regained control of the game.

The Kings made 5 of 8 three pointers in the quarter and now have all five starters in double figure scoring.

DeMarcus Cousins has 17 points and 12 rebounds. John Salmons has 14 points and a season-high nine assists.

The Kings are shooting just 38.6 percent (27 of 70) but that's fine thus far because Portland is also shooting 38.6 percent (22 of 57).

The difference is turnovers. The Kings have 23 points off 14 Blazer turnovers. The Kings have only allowed eight points off their eight turnovers.

HALFTIME
Kings 43, Trail Blazers 41

PORTLAND - The Kings went from really good to bad when they went to the bench tonight.

Thus, a 12-point lead has dwindled down to two points.

The Kings' backups shot 2 of 15 in the first half, 1 of 13 in the second quarter. Overall the Kings shot 3 of 22 in the second quarter.

That lack of shooting allowed Portland to get back into the game.

Isaiah Thomas got the nod ahead of Jimmer Fredette tonight and had missed all three of his shots and had two turnovers. Fredette hasn't played tonight.

DeMarcus Cousins has nine points and eight rebounds to lead the Kings. Jason Thompson also has nine points.

Wesley Matthews has 12 points for Portland. J.J. Hickson already has 10 rebounds.

FIRST QUARTER
Kings 30, Trail Blazers 18

PORTLAND - This is the kind of start the Kings needed on the road.

The Kings forced nine turnovers in the first quarter and held Portland to 35.3 percent shooting (6 of 17). The Kings have 14 points off those turnovers.

And the Kings appear serious about sharing the ball. They already have nine assists, six by John Salmons.

DeMarcus Cousins has seven points and five rebounds. Francisco Garcia started for Tyreke Evans (sore left knee) and added seven points.

PORTLAND - For the Kings to win three games in a row for the first time this season, a lot has to go right.

Well, at least five things do:

1. Road toughness: The Kings are 0-6 on the road and their last two losses have been especially bad. One saw the Kings blow a fourth-quarter lead in Utah with a series of mental mistakes. Last Saturday the Kings lost by 35 in Los Angeles to the Clippers. The common thread in both losses was the Kings inability to stay focused the entire game.
2. Robinson repeat: Rookie power forward Thomas Robinson continues to show he can impact games simply with his effort. He did so Friday night and must do so again.
3. Guard battle: The Kings will be undersized in the backcourt, especially if Tyreke Evans (sore left knee) is out. The Kings have to play up-tempo basketball and avoid being put in position to deal with the size of Portland's guards.
4. Defensive awareness: All eyes must be aware of what Portland guard Damian Lillard is up to on the floor. He torched the Kings last month.
5. Rough him up: Portland forward LaMarcus Aldridge can't be allowed to feel comfortable. Jason Thompson, Chuck Hayes and Robinson all have to do their part to fluster Aldridge as best they can tonight.

PORTLAND - For the Kings to win three games in a row for the first time this season, a lot has to go right.

Well, at least five things do:

1. Road toughness: The Kings are 0-6 on the road and their last two losses have been especially bad. One saw the Kings blow a fourth-quarter lead in Utah with a series of mental mistakes. Last Saturday the Kings lost by 35 in Los Angeles to the Clippers. The common thread in both losses was the Kings inability to stay focused the entire game.
2. Robinson repeat: Rookie power forward Thomas Robinson continues to show he can impact games simply with his effort. He did so Friday night and must do so again.
3. Guard battle: The Kings will be undersized in the backcourt, especially if Tyreke Evans (sore left knee) is out. The Kings have to play up-tempo basketball and avoid being put in position to deal with the size of Portland's guards.
4. Defensive awareness: All eyes must be aware of what Portland guard Damian Lillard is up to on the floor. He torched the Kings last month.
5. Rough him up: Portland forward LaMarcus Aldridge can't be allowed to feel comfortable. Jason Thompson, Chuck Hayes and Robinson all have to do their part to fluster Aldridge as best they can tonight.

FINAL
Kings 91, Magic 82

The Kings went small and came up big.

Isaiah Thomas scored 11 of his 17 points in the fourth quarter as the Kings leaned heavily on an undersized second unit to beat the Magic in front of a crowd of 16,305 at Sleep Train Arena and head into a four-game road trip on a winning streak.

After watching a double-digit halftime lead vanish in the third quarter, the Kings started the fourth with a lineup of Thomas, Jimmer Fredette, Marcus Thornton, Chuck Hayes and rookie Thomas Robinson.

"I think we had to push the tempo and make this team run," head coach Keith Smart said. "Half-court wasn't going to work for us."

The change of pace was evident immediately. Fredette's three-pointer with 8:29 left gave the Kings a 69-68 lead that they stretched to nine on a pair of free throws from Thomas before holding the Magic off down the stretch.

Thomas -- who didn't get off the bench in the Kings' win over Toronto on Wednesday -- and Fredette played the entire quarter and combined for 22 points and eight rebounds in the fourth.

"We just played hard," Thomas said. "I tell him, when I'm in, I pass to you, just shoot it. He was aggressive, I was aggressive and we fed off each other."

The Kings made just six shots from the field in the fourth quarter but made 16 of 18 free-throw attempts, including 7 of 8 by Thomas. They held Orlando to 7 of 24 shooting in the quarter and 37.5 percent for the game, and out-rebounded the Magic 41-34.

The Kings (6-12) scored 25 fast-break points, including 11 in the fourth, and turned 16 Orlando turnovers into 25 points.

"We were getting stops as a defensive team, and we got rebounds and just went," Thomas said.

Smart didn't break up the second-unit lineup until John Salmons entered with 3:32 left in the game, later saying he felt he had "the right chemistry" on the floor.

Knowing they were at a size disadvantage, Fredette said, the Kings compensated by "pressuring on defense -- make them drive the ball and kick, scramble on defense, use your quickness and then get out on transition and push the ball up the floor."

Fredette, listed at 6-foot-2, chased the bigger J.J. Redick around the floor the entire fourth quarter, in which Redick missed all four of his shot attempts.

Glen Davis led the Magic (7-12) with 20 points and 11 rebounds but fouled out with 38.4 seconds left, committing five fouls in the final quarter.

At one point, Davis found himself on the ground wrestling for a loose ball with Robinson. The rookie finished with just one point but made an impact with hustle plays, recording seven rebounds, three assists and two steals.

"He changed the whole game," said DeMarcus Cousins. "I told him, that's how you should play every night."

Cousins followed one of his best games of the season against Toronto with another double-double, scoring 17 points and grabbing 14 rebounds against the Magic. Jason Thompson added 12 points and six rebounds.

The Kings have won consecutive games for just the second time this season, and the first since Nov. 5-7.

They go on the road to play the Portland Trail Blazers on Saturday night. Smart said he isn't sure whether Tyreke Evans, who was scratched from the starting lineup Friday night with knee soreness, will be available.

The Kings will be on the road for four games starting Saturday night at Portland.

Tonight's game is the Kings' last chance to build some momentum before going on the road, where they have dropped all six games this season.

Here are five things to look for tonight when the Kings host the Orlando Magic.

No breaking news out of Kings practice Thursday. Here's some leftover quotes, observations, etc.

*Thomas Robinson is still learning the NBA game. Like most college stars coming into the league, he expected a lot out of himself. But he's learning he needs to learn how to play the NBA.

"Pace, reading my defender, the situation of the game," Robinson said of what he's learning. "When to take a shot when not to take a shot. I think I really have one problem and that's pretty much it, just trying to catch up with the pace."

Smart mentioned this yesterday during pregame and brought it up again today.

He said he had to show Robinson film of himself not running as hard as he thought during games.

Smart wants and needs Robinson running as fast as possible. He's probably the most athletic player on the team. Unlike many of his teammates, Robinson has the ability to make defensive plays with his athleticism.

Robinson on his chase-down blocked shots (he had two against Indiana last week).

"I think out of the bigs I'm the youngest, probably with the youngest legs. And I'm the smallest besides Chuck and Chuck's not going to do that. I think that's something I have to have in my defensive package because I'm not 6-10 like J.T. and D-Cuz and I don't have the IQ on defense yet that Chuck has so I've got to use my athletic ability."

Smart on why he thought DeMarcus Cousins had a good game against Toronto:

"He ran the floor. He ran the floor last night because he can. I think that helped his game as well. I thought because he started the game off with a plan to go get rebounds that got him a little more involved in the game."

"If he sets his table like that for each game to rebound first, to get his teammates involved second and eventually look for his shot because he's going to play good minutes if he doesn't get in foul trouble."

*Smart had nice things to say about Orlando forward Glen Davis.

With no Dwight Howard or Ryan Anderson, Davis has a much bigger role. He's on pace to post career highs with 15.9 points and 8.4 rebounds.

"Big Baby is playing at a really high level, getting a chance to play as a starter now, full time and the ball is coming to him and he plays hard all the time."

*More on Robinson from Smart, who wants to continue to see good effort on defense (like chasing down plays for blocked shots):

"Always be in the play because you have the ability to affect the game from an energy standpoint that a lot of guys on our team can't. Because you can get back into the play and make a play unlike a lot of other guys."

*Smart and Chuck Hayes said even without Howard, the Magic are still a team that works hard and runs its sets well under first-year coach Jacque Vaughn.

It wouldn't be fair to say it's Jimmer Fredette vs. Isaiah Thomas for playing time.

That's because Keith Smart said it's the opponent that usually will use as Aaron Brooks' back up.

Fredette was the backup point guard in Wednesday's win over the Toronto Raptors. Thomas did not play.

Just don't assume Fredette will be the first point guard off the bench Friday against the Orlando Magic.

"I'm just going to fight through that as much as I can and stay away from the traditional thinking of you've got to have this guy as your backup," Smart said. "I'm going to look at how the game plays. I've got to two young guys and they're not 10-year veterans, they're not five-year veterans. These guys are young, developing guys. I was always taught you've got to always be ready, be ready to play."

It's not the ideal situation. But Smart isn't about to (publicly) declare one player is ahead of the other.

That means we could continue to see Thomas and Fredette continue to take turns as the primary backup while the other watches.

"I know they won't like it but you know what, you're in the NBA," Smart said. "So many guys would love to be in these positions and you're playing in the NBA, a privileged league."

*The Kings figured out how to survive when all of their players aren't clicking.

Marcus Thornton only had three points (his second lowest total of the season) in Wednesday's win, but the Kings still had 20 bench points thanks to seven points apiece from Fredette and Thomas Robinson.

James Johnson had eight rebounds, six points and two blocked shots off the bench.

*John Salmons was one of the glue guys in Wednesday night's win. He had seven assists, a blocked shot and had no turnovers.

The seven assists were a season high for Salmons.

The struggling Kings host another struggling team, the Toronto Raptors, tonight at Sleep Train Arena.

Below are five things to pay attention to when the Kings look to end their three-game losing streak.

Kings coach Keith Smart said Tuesday's practice was lighter than Monday, which came after a day off.

He worked on some offensive principles (moving the ball...again), prepared for the Toronto Raptors.

Here are some other things Smart touched on after practice.

On some the mistakes the Kings make during games and if sitting that player would change things:

"It's not so much this person or that person. When we're tight in a game like that. You think you have your best players on the floor but they've got to grow to where they're semi-mistake free. That's almost impossible but you can't have everyone making mistakes."

"With this group all of them have had their share in doing that. It's a growth thing for our entire team."

On whether the youth excuse is valid for the mistakes

"We keep saying they're not young but they are young. Although you've got a couple years in the league you're still young. You still make a lot of the little mistakes that you shouldn't be making."

"You're not a veteran yet, you're still trying to figure out the game. You're still trying to figure out is it more against my teammate for who is going to be the leading scorer. Those things you're still trying to figure out. "

After a good workout in practice, Kings coach Keith Smart expects to have Tyreke Evans back in the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Toronto Raptors.

Evans missed the last two games with a bruised left knee.

"He came in and did some treadmill work, did some sprint work on the floor and then got up his shots," Smart said. "I just wanted to get him to where he did some change of direction on the floor ... I think he'll be ready to go."

Evans was playing his best basketball of the season when he bumped knees with Minnesota forward Andrei Kirilenko last Tuesday.

Evans is averaging 22 points in his last three games.

Kings guard Tyreke Evans practiced Monday after missing the last two games with a bruised left knee.

Evans bumped knees with Minnesota forward Andrei Kirilenko last Tuesday.

Evans said he felt "50/50" about playing Wednesday against the Toronto Raptors. Evans said he would continue to receive treatment Tuesday and if he felt better he planned to play.

Kings coach Keith Smart is optimistic that he will have Evans back.

"I think he will be but you can't pinpoint that," Smart said. "We'll see how he responds because he finally got back on the floor running and cutting."

Evans said he didn't realize how badly he'd injured his knee until after the game last week.

"Just a sharp pain when I was I home," Evans said. "I was in the bed trying to sleep and I was like moving around and bend my leg it would catch me off guard and it was like oh (shoot) it hurt."