Cousins’ 32 lead Kings back against Minnesota

MINNEAPOLIS — In their first year under coach Dave Joerger, the Sacramento Kings are beginning to discover how they want to play, and the fourth quarter is quickly becoming theirs.

DeMarcus Cousins scored 32 points, including 21 in the second half, and Sacramento came back to beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 109-105 on Friday night for its third straight victory.

Cousins hit three 3-pointers and added seven rebounds and seven assists for Sacramento, which has won four of its past five games. The Kings have come from behind in each game during their win streak and have outscored opponents 96-62 in the fourth.

“I think we’re starting to realize what it takes to win games,” Cousins said. “We’re doing a great job of playing together, moving the ball, getting everybody involved. Guys are having fun right now. Everything’s just clicking.”

Anthony Tolliver came off the bench to go 5 of 7 on 3s and score 17 points as the Kings hit a season-high 15 3-pointers in 29 attempts.

Zach LaVine scored a career-high 40 points and tied a career best with seven 3s for Minnesota. Karl-Anthony Towns tallied his 10th straight double-

double with 20 points and 13 rebounds for the Timberwolves, who had won three of their previous four games.

“We didn’t play any defense from start to finish,” Minnesota coach Tom Thibodeau said. “When we needed to play our best, we played our worst. So, disappointing.”

Ricky Rubio had a season-high 13 points, all in the third, as the Timberwolves opened a nine-point lead. But just like in that last game in Utah, Cousins and the Kings took control in the fourth.

Cousins had 12 points and Lawson had nine of his 15 in the period. Sacramento also held Minnesota to 6-of-21 shooting in the fourth.

“We didn’t have a lot of pop and came out to start the fourth quarter, made a run right away and picked up our level of intensity,” Joerger said. “And then we made some great plays at the end.”