Sports

DeMarcus Cousins leads Kings to 99-88 preseason win over Clippers

Associated Press
Published | Updated

Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins, left, fouls Los Angeles Clippers center Ryan Hollins as they go after a rebound during the first quarter of an NBA preseason basketball game in Sacramento, Calif., Monday, Oct. 14, 2013.(AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli) (The Associated Press)

Los Angeles Clippers guard Darren Collison, center, drives to the basket between Sacramento Kings' DeMarcus Cousins, left, and Greivis Vasquez, during the first quarter of an NBA preseason basketball game in Sacramento, Calif., Monday, Oct. 14, 2013. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli) (The Associated Press)

DeMarcus Cousins had 31 points and 11 rebounds to lead the Sacramento Kings to a 99-88 preseason victory over the Los Angeles Clippers on Monday night.

Clippers coach Doc Rivers sat starters Blake Griffin, Chris Paul and DeAndre Jordan for the entire game. The Clippers (2-1) play Tuesday night in Phoenix, their third exhibition game in four days.

Cousins had 25 points and nine rebounds as the Kings (2-1) took a 56-47 halftime lead. He added six points in the third quarter when the Kings outscored Los Angeles 26-18 and took a 17-point lead into the fourth.

Isaiah Thomas had 16 points and John Salmons and Marcus Thornton added 10 each for Sacramento. Greivis Vasquez, a point guard who was acquired from New Orleans, played his first preseason game, getting two points in 11 first-quarter minutes.

Jamal Crawford scored 25 points and Darren Collison had 20 points and 10 assists for the Clippers. Center Byron Mullens had 16 points and seven rebounds and Willie Green had 12 points.

Cousins was 11 of 18 from the field and 9 of 11 from the free throw line. He played 27 minutes.