Cousins' double-double lifts Kings over Wizards

[January 17, 2013]  SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) -- DeMarcus Cousins had 21 points and 16 rebounds while Tyreke Evans and John Salmons each scored 21 points to help the Sacramento Kings beat the Washington Wizards 95-94 on Wednesday night.

With the score tied, Evans was fouled on a drive to the basket with 11.4 seconds left. He made one of two free throws to give the Kings a 95-94 lead.

Bradley Beal missed a runner in the closing seconds and John Wall followed with a desperation shot from inside the foul lane that never hit the rim.

Jimmer Fredette scored all 12 of his points for the Kings in the second half and Sacramento outscored the Wizards 23-17 in the fourth quarter.

Beal scored 26 points, including six 3-pointers, for the Wizards, who had their three-game winning streak snapped. The Wizards have the worst overall record (7-29) in the NBA and are also a league worst 1-16 on the road.

Kevin Seraphin had 16 points, Nene had 15 points, nine rebounds and six assists. Wall had 14 points and 10 assists in a season-high 26 minutes.

Wall had a chance to give the Wizards a lead with 30 seconds left. He was fouled after stealing the ball from Cousins. But Wall missed both free throws and the Kings secured the rebound and called timeout with 30 seconds left to set up Evans' drive.

It was Wall's third game after missing the season's first 33 with an injured his left knee. He demonstrated his trademark quickness in the opening half, getting to the basket numerous times when he scored 10 points in only nine minutes.

The Kings were down five points in the fourth before Cousins took over. He made a reverse layup and then on the Kings' next possession muscled inside for a basket and was fouled. Cousins made the free throw, and the three-point played tied the game at 91 with 1:46 left.

The Wizards led 56-48 at the half and were able to maintain a five-point edge heading into the fourth despite shooting 8-for-21 in the third quarter.

After not playing in the first half, Fredette got the Kings stagnant offense going in the third quarter, making his first shot and adding a pair of 3s.

Sacramento players contend they have not let the rumors of the team being bought and moved next year to Seattle bother them. Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson, a former NBA star, is leading the effort to keep the Kings in Sacramento.

NOTES: Wall converted on a a lob pass early in the second quarter and was fouled on the play. He made the free throw for his second three-point play of the period. ... Seraphin, the Wizards' backup center, scored eight points in four first-quarter minutes. . Ankle problems sidelined Washington's Jordan Crawford and Trevor Booker.

[Associated Press]

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