Cousins has 33 points, 19 boards, Kings top Thunder 116-104

Oklahoma City’s first loss in five games leaves their record at 24-11, still ranked third in the Western Conference.

Cousins came up big Monday night in the Kings’ 116-104 victory over the Thunder.

The Sacramento Kings experience all kinds of trouble playing in Oklahoma City and look to break a 14-game losing streak in the city when they visit the Thunder on Monday. Pinging is now not allowed.

“Obviously, closing out that first half”, Thunder coach Billy Donovan said, “and then through the second, they obviously were really able to cut into that lead”.

According to oddsmakers from online sports book Mybookie.ag, the Thunder is a 7-point road favorite for tonight’s game while the over/under now sits at 208.5 points.

Adams managed to put up 15 points and 10 rebounds, but he played just 26 minutes due to foul trouble. Oklahoma City has won 10 in a row against Charlotte dating to the 2010-11 season.

Demarcus Cousins of Sacramento led all scorers with 33 points and added 19 rebounds.

Walker was responsible for three consecutive buckets in the second quarter and a killer fadeaway jumper to get the Hornets within two points of the Thunder in the third. Sharpshooter Anthony Morrow added 20 points on 3-of-6 shooting from deep and rookie Cameron Payne dropped in 11 off the Thunder bench. The Kings continue to struggle on the road and don’t play enough defense to hang with OKC at home.

Charlotte only committed 4 turnovers for the game.

With Durant sidelined, Morrow got the start. Also had a season-best seven blocked shots. The Thunder had 15 total fourth quarter points. However, Cousins and Belinelli slowly reeled Oklahoma City back, and the Kings led 68-66 at halftime.

Whether it was Adams or center Enes Kanter guarding Cousins, the Kings tried to force-feed him in the paint. The Thunder shot 52.6 percent and made 50 percent of its 3-pointers.

“I thought we got some really, really good and positive contributions from our bench”, Donovan said. “But you can’t be giving up 109 a night and play well consistently”. He is listed as day-to-day…. Willie Cauley-Stein injured a finger on his right hand in the fourth quarter. During his time rehabbing, Kings coach George Karl was impressed with what he saw.

“I think everyone is feeling things out”, Ainge said. They included the 2015 Atlanta Hawks’ starting five, Dallas F, Michael Finley, F Dirk Nowitzki and G Steve Nash in 2002…. Although, they are in the top 5 in the National Basketball Association in bench scoring, Big Al was a presence down low and he is greatly missed.