Nov 20, 2014; Sacramento, CA, USA; Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins (15) controls a rebound between Chicago Bulls center Joakim Noah (13) and forward Mike Dunleavy (34) during the fourth quarter at Sleep Train Arena. The Sacramento Kings defeated
Nov 20, 2014; Sacramento, CA, USA; Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins (15) controls a rebound between Chicago Bulls center Joakim Noah (13) and forward Mike Dunleavy (34) during the fourth quarter at Sleep Train Arena. The Sacramento Kings defeated the Chicago Bulls 103-88 REUTERS

DeMarcus Cousins scored a big win in the conversation on the best upcoming big man in the NBA, leading the Sacramento Kings over rival Anthony Davis and the New Orleans Pelicans, 99-89. The Team USA member was aided by Turkish national team player Omas Casspi who scored 22 points in the absence of several key starters.

Casspi filled in for the injured Rudy Gay who is nursing his Achilles tendon which he injured Nov. 15. The team is being cautious with fielding in Gay who averaging 21 points and 6 rebounds for the much improved 9-5 Kings. Sacramento coach Mike Malone said that they will rest Gay for the next couple of days as his tendon is starting to bother him.

In Gay's absence, Sacramento Kings returnee Casspi made his first start of the season and connected on 9-of-12 shots mostly long-range bombs to open the lane up for Cousins. Apart from Casspi, Ramon Session was also effective as a substitute for the sidelined Darren Collison. The former Milwaukee Bucks draftee posted efficient numbers of 15 points and 6 assists and will continue to be given playing time given that Collison is also day to day with a right quadriceps injury.

The King's win solidifies their steady ascent the Western Conference highlighted by the steady play of Cousins and his head-turning defensive performance against Anthony Davis. Davis is averaging a second-best 26.3 points per outing but was limited to just 14 points on 4-of-12 shooting while being hounded by the pesky Kings defence which limited the Pelicans to just 41percent shooting the rest of the night.

Tyreke Evans shouldered the load for the Pelicans with 22 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists but that effort went to naught as he had limited support in Davis, Jrue Holiday (11 points, 3 turnovers) and Omer Asik (3 points, 7 rebounds). Sacramento was nursing a slim five point lead, 75-70 coming into the fourth quarter when rookie Nik Stauskas made a jumper and Ray McCallum made two free throws to stretch the lead to 9. The Pelicans never threatened after that as they we not able to trim the deficit below six points the rest of the way. The Pelicans are mired in a three-game losing streak and are missing the services of starting shooting guard Eric Gordon.