DeMarcus Cousins dominated the Pelicans with 40 points Monday.
Perhaps, he should’ve scored a couple more.
With 47.6 seconds left in the Kings’ loss, Cousins had his shot blocked by Kendrick Perkins. That should’ve been a foul on Perkins, according to the NBA’s Last Two Minute Report:
Perkins (NOP) makes contact with Cousins’ (SAC) body that affects his drive to the basket and shot attempt.
Instead of Cousins – a 73% career free-throw shooter – going to the line to extend Sacramento’s two-point lead, Dante Cunningham made a 3-pointer to put New Orleans up by one. That was the Pelicans’ advantage when the Kings began intentionally fouling, and New Orleans pulled away for a 115-112 win.
Sacramento doesn’t have much margin for error in its longshot playoff chase. This officiating error narrowed it even further.