07-17-2019, 12:57 AM
SACRAMENTO, Calif. - The Sacramento Kings finally found the right remedy to end a monthlong bout of bad news: a healthy DeMarcus Cousins and a struggling Kobe Bryant.Cousins had 29 points and 14 rebounds in his second start since returning from a serious illness, and the Kings snapped a five-game losing streak with a 108-101 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday.It seems like forever since we had a win, Cousins said. So it feels good to get a win.The victory provided a brief reprieve for Sacramento and its franchise centerpiece.The Kings had lost 10 of 12 games — going 2-8 while Cousins recovered from viral meningitis — and fired coach Michael Malone last week. There also has been constant speculation about how long interim coach Tyrone Corbin will man the sidelines and reports of possible player trades.For at least one day, though, Sacramento shook off all the talk — and a shaky first half — for a much-needed win. Rudy Gay scored 24 points, and Ben McLemore added 23 points and eight rebounds to help the Kings pull away late.Sacramento improved to 10-7 with Cousins in the lineup.The guys are coming together, said Corbin, who won for the first time in three games since Malones dismissal. I cant say enough about how much I respect the effort after all weve been through.Nick Young scored 26 points, and Bryant had 25 for the Lakers, who have lost six of eight and are buried at the bottom of the Pacific Division.Bryant shot just 8 of 30 and had nine of the Lakers 17 turnovers. He also had five rebounds and three assists.Obviously, I have had tough moments, Bryant said. But the thing that I have always found effective is to focus on where youre at in the moment and time.In what has been a down time for Californias once-proud NBA franchises, the Kings showed their rebuilding process might be further along than the Lakers.Cousins is still working his way back into shape but was as animated as ever, often talking between plays and overpowering defenders during them. He shot 9 of 19 and had three blocks, two assists and two steals.But the Lakers still gave the Kings trouble most of the way.Young started a four-point play while getting fouled by Gay near the top of the arc, lifting the Lakers to an 89-83 lead in the fourth that quickly evaporated. Gay followed with a 3-pointer, and Derrick Williams had a tying three-point play the next time down.The teams traded baskets before Sacramentos finishing burst put the game out of reach.Cousins highlighted the decisive run when he came up with a defensive rebound and threw a bounce pass ahead to Darren Collison, who took a couple of dribbles before tossing a no-look alley-oop to McLemore that put the Kings up 99-91 with 4:02 remaining.I think we responded well, Cousins said. This is a way for us to move on from that situation and keep on the path we had been playing on this season.TIP INSLakers: Los Angeles beat Sacramento 98-95 on Dec. 9 at Staples Center in their first matchup. Cousins sat out that game. ... The teams play two more times this season.Kings: Former franchise centre Vlade Divac sat next to Kings owner Vivek Ranadive near centre court. ... Gay thanked fans before the game for their support and wished them happy holidays.BREAK FOR BRYANT?Lakers coach Byron Scott said he might rest Bryant for an upcoming game to give the 36-year-old a break. Bryant said it might make sense but stopped short of endorsing the idea. Its probably not that much of an option, really, he said. I just have to look at the body, the amount of the workload, and see how it responds.NO SUSPENSIONYoung avoided a suspension from the NBA after getting ejected in a loss to Oklahoma City on Friday night, when he retaliated to contact from Steven Adams with a forearm and elbow to the Thunder centres throat. Scott said he spoke with Young about keeping his cool and told him he could face discipline from the coach — never mind the league — if theres another incident.UP NEXTLakers: Host Golden State on Tuesday.Kings: At Golden State on Monday. Hydro Flask France . 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New Zealand Rugby Union chief executive Steve Tew said the re-signing was made with a focus on 2016 when sevens will be in the Olympics. Bouchon Hydro Flask . Canada will host the second stop on the circuit, the 2014 Skate Canada International in Kelowna, British Columbia from October 31 - November 2, 2014 at Prospera Place.FRANKFURT, Germany -- Germany will play fellow World Cup finalist Cameroon in one of its final warm-ups for the tournament in Brazil. The match is scheduled for June 1 in Moenchengladbach. Germany also plays Poland on May 13 and is looking for an opponent for a June 6 match, one day before departing for Brazil. German Football Federation general secretary Helmut Sandrock says the coaaching staff wanted Germany to play against a "strong African team" ahead of the tournament.dddddddddddd Germanys group includes another African team, Ghana. Cameroon is in the same group as World Cup host Brazil and is coached by a German, Volker Finke. Germanys other group rivals are Portugal and the United States. Cameroon also plays Mexico and Croatia. ' ' '