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Cousins sparks Kings over Raptors

Jan 5, 2013 - 3:26 AM Toronto, ON (Sports Network) - DeMarcus Cousins poured in a game-high 31 points and tied a career-high with 20 rebounds to lead the Sacramento Kings to a 105-96 win over the Toronto Raptors on Friday.

John Salmons added 20 points and Jason Thompson chipped in 14 points and six rebounds for the Kings. They have won four of their last five games since Cousins returned to the lineup following a two-game suspension for unprofessional behavior and conduct detrimental to the team.

Since his suspension, Cousins is averaging 19.4 points and 14.0 rebounds per game.

"Twenty rebounds is something you're going to see every 15 (games) from (Cousins)," Kings head coach Keith Smart said. "He does such a great job rebounding the basketball."

Kyle Lowry scored 24 points and Alan Anderson added 20 for the Raptors, who lost for just the second time in 10 games.

"We were as flat as a pancake," said Raptors coach Dwane Casey. "We did not have an answer for Cousins inside. We didn't play with any zip, we were flat. This team [Sacramento] scared me from the beginning with size and talent."

Salmons' 3-pointer 5 1/12 minutes into the first quarter put the Kings up 15-10, but the Raptors battled back to take a 22-21 advantage following Anderson's trey with 1:20 left. However, Isaiah Thomas' layup at the end of the frame gave Sacramento a one-point lead entering the second.

Lowry's triple capped a 17-10 sequence that gave Toronto a 42-34 lead in the second quarter, but the Kings closed the first half on a 20-11 surge and led 54-53 at the break.

Sacramento's defense smothered the Raptors in the third quarter, holding Toronto to just 14.3 percent (3-for-21) shooting in the frame. Cousins matched the Raptors' entire offensive output with 10 points in the period to help the Kings take an 82-63 lead into the fourth.

Sacramento cruised to the win despite being outscored 33-23 over the final 12 minutes of the game.

The Kings shot 52.5 percent (40-for-76) from the floor while holding the Raptors to just 38 percent (30-for-79) efficiency.

Game Notes

Sacramento outscored Toronto by a 52-32 margin in the paint ... Thomas finished with 11 points and six assists ... The Kings have won five of their last six games with the Raptors ... Toronto scored 25 points off of 17 Sacramento turnovers ... The Raptors are 0-15 this season when allowing 100 points or more.