Pelicans fall on the road to Kings

Published Feb. 12, 2017 11:48 p.m. ET

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) -- DeMarcus Cousins had 28 points, 14 rebounds and seven assists for the Sacramento Kings, who beat the New Orleans Pelicans 105-99 on Sunday night for their third straight victory.

The Kings assumed the lead late in the third quarter and never relinquished it in winning for the fourth time in five games. The Kings have won three straight games only one other time this season.

Darren Collison had 20 points and eight assists for the Kings. Matt Barnes had 12 points and Ben McLemore added 11.

Anthony Davis had 32 points and 10 rebounds for the Pelicans, but was limited to 11 points following a huge first half. Jrue Holliday had 16 points and 11 assists and Dante Cunningham had 14 points. New Orleans dropped eight of 10 games and is 7-19 on the road.

Cousins received a questionable technical late in the first quarter, his NBA-leading 17th of the season. One more technical and he will serve his second one-game suspension.

Barnes made a short left-handed flip shot off a pass from Cousins for a six-point lead with 2:16 left. Cousins, who had eight points in the fourth quarter, made two free throws, putting Sacramento ahead 101-93 with 1:45 left.

Pelicans rookie guard Buddy Hield was ejected after a flagrant foul penalty with just under three minutes left in the first half. He had five points in 14 minutes. The Kings responded with a 14-6 run and trailed 56-53 at the half.

The Kings finished the homestand 4-2 with impressive wins over Golden State, Boston and Atlanta.

TIP INS

Pelicans: Coach Alvin Gentry received a technical less than two minutes into the game. ... Tyreke Evans, the 2010 NBA rookie of the year in 2010, came off the bench as a reserve after missing the past two games with a left ankle sprain. He had seven points in 16 minutes.

Kings: McLemore made a pair of 3s to start a stretch of 13 straight points to start the third quarter and put Sacramento ahead 66-53. ... Barnes was called for a technical in the third quarter, his seventh of the season.

UP NEXT

Pelicans: Four-game road trip continues Monday in Phoenix.

Kings: Face the struggling Lakers on Tuesday in Los Angeles.