Cousins emulates Abdul-Jabbar in style
NEW ORLEANS: DeMarcus Cousins had a triple double in New Orleans’ 132-128 double overtime win over Chicago, becoming the first player since Kareem AbdulJabbar to have 40 points, 20 rebounds and 10 assists in a game.
Cousins finished with 44 points, 24 rebounds and 10 assists as he combined with Anthony Davis, who scored 34, to spark a Pelicans’ comeback in regulation before they pulled off the marathon victory against the Bulls on Monday.
Cousins scored seven points in the second overtime on a three-pointer, a turnaround jumper and two free throws with eight seconds left in front of a crowd of 17,100 at Smoothie King Center arena.
He became the first NBA player since Hall of Famer Abdul-Jabbar in 1972 to achieve the feat. The others who have done it are Wilt Chamberlain (six times), Oscar Robertson and Elgin Baylor. All four players are in the hall of fame.
Chamberlain had one of the greatest games in history when he scored 51 points, 29 rebounds and 11 assists against Detroit in February 1963.
“I’m just glad we won,” Cousins said. “It wouldn’t have really meant [much] if I didn’t get a win. It’s cool to be in company with a guy like Wilt. He was a guy who put up video-game numbers his entire career.”
Cousins said he was physically drained after playing a career high 52 minutes.
“My strength coach had the nerve to ask me if I wanted to lift after this game. I almost lost it. If I had some energy, we would’ve fought,” he said smiling.
In Houston, James Harden scored 28 points and Houston overcame a big early deficit to beat Miami 99-90.
Miami led by double digits before halftime, but the game stayed close throughout most of the second half. It was tied with about three minutes left when Harden hit a 3-pointer just before the shot clock expired. That was the start of a 7-2 run that made it 95-90 with 38 seconds left. Miami’s Hassan Whiteside has his lay-up blocked by Harden and Houston added a dunk by Clint Capela with 18 seconds left.