Instant Replay: Cousins, Rondo lead Kings over Wizards

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SACRAMENTO -- The Sacramento Kings are making a living out of crushing other teams' playoff dreams. The victim Wednesday night was the Washington Wizards, who rolled into Sleep Train Arena desperate for a win and came away scratching their heads after a 120-111 loss.

Despite sitting on the brink of playoff elimination, the Kings won for the third time in four tries and made it to the 30-win plateau for the first time since the 2007-08 season.   

DeMarcus Cousins started the game like a human wrecking ball, scoring 11 points in the first seven minutes of the first before George Karl summonsed him to the bench. The two-time All-Star kept it up all night long, hanging a game-high 29 points on the Wizards in 33 minutes of action. Cousins added 10 rebounds rebounds, five steals and four blocks.

[HAM: Divac avoids Cousins' future; Kings 'should be in the playoffs']

Rajon Rondo got it going after the intermission, scoring 10 of his 15 points in the quarter. He added four steals and 10 assists, giving him 49 games this season with double-digit assist totals. 

It was Rondo's 36th double-double of the season. 

With just under seven seconds remaining in the game, both Cousins and Rondo were hit with technical fouls from the officials for clapping. The tech was Cousins 16th on the season. Barring a change of heart form the officials he will miss the next game. Rondo continued his discussion with the officials and was sent to the locker room a few seconds early with a second tech on the night.

Kosta Koufos got it going in the fourth quarter, scoring 10 of his 12 points in the final frame on a perfect 4-of-4 from the field.

Rudy Gay was active, scoring 15 on 6-of-14 shooting. Omri Casspi got it going off the bench, chipping in 15 points and eight rebounds. Darren Collison added 13 points and 10 assists.

Otto Porter Jr. missed the first matchup between these two team back in December due to a thigh injury. The third-year forward made a huge impact in this time around, finishing the night with 20 points on 8-for-11 shooting.

Bradley Beal couldn’t buy a bucket from long range, but he still dropped in 24 points and hand out four assists. His backcourt mate struggled from the field as well. John Wall hit a last second 3 pointer to finish with 14 points on 4-of-16 shooting. 

Nene came off the bench to put up 15 points and grab five rebounds while Markieff Morris went for 13 as the Wizards fell to 36-30 on the season.

STANDOUT PERFORMER -- Cousins cleaned house on the Wizards. After getting manhandled by Marcin Gortat the last time these teams faced off, the Kings star center tormented Washington’s front line all night long.

TURNING POINT -- The Kings held a six point lead going to the fourth, but pushed the lead to 15 with just over three minutes remaining. The second unit came alive and ran the Wizards off the court.

INJURY UPDATE -- Marco Belinelli missed his third straight game with a sore right foot. He is listed as day-to-day moving forward.

WHAT'S NEXT -- The Kings are back at it on their home floor on Friday night when Hassan Whiteside and the Miami Heat swing by for a visit.

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