DeMarcus Cousins is looking more and more like he's going to be a special basketball player for the Sacramento Kings. Going against Dwight Howard for some stretches, perhaps the most dominant defensive athlete in the NBA today, he scored 29 points on 16 shots, nailed 13 of 18 free throws, and helped foul out Howard. He did have seven turnovers (some on poor offensive fouls), but also grabbed seven rebounds and three steals (including a nice breakup of a Cousins alley-oop. Marcus Thornton added 22 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists in support of the young big.
Unfortunately for the Kings, both Tyreke Evans and Beno Udrih were out, which meant Luther Head was the starting point guard. Which meant Jameer Nelson could have his way on both sides of the court. Head was 2 for 10 (including missing the potential game-tying three), and Nelson scorched him for 26 points on 11 of 17 shooting, including a bunch of crucial fourth quarter buckets. Howard added 16 points and 15 rebounds, Jason Richardson scored 19, and Hedo Turkoglu nailed the dagger three down the stretch to help give the Magic just enough to beat Sacramento.
For postgame reaction, go to Sactown Royalty for reaction from Kings fans & Orlando Pinstriped Post for reaction from Magic fans.