Stats that stand out from the New Orleans Hornets’ 96-80 loss to the Sacramento Kings on Sunday night.

1. 15. Hornets’ 3-point attempts.

2. 0. Hornets’ 3-point baskets made, establishing a club record for futility.

3. Plus-19. Hornets rebounding advantage over Kings, 60-41.

4. 11. Turnovers by Hornets starting guards, eight from Jarrett Jack, three from Marco Belinelli.

5. 10. Total turnovers by Kings.

FIRST QUARTER BREAKDOWN

Quarter score: Hornets 22, Kings 21

Hornets points in the paint: 14.

Kings points in the paint: eight.

Hornets second chance points: two.

Kings second chance points: two.

Hornets fast-break points: six.

Kings fast-break points: two.

Hornets biggest lead: seven.

Kings biggest lead: two.

Times tied: four

Hornets leading scorer: Trevor Ariza, Emeka Okafor, six.

Kings leading scorer: Marcus Thornton, Tyreke Evans, seven.

SECOND QUARTER BREAKDOWN

Quarter score: Hornets 18, Kings 17.

Hornets points in the paint: 12.

Kings points in the paint: eight.

Hornets second chance points: three.

Kings second chance points: 0.

Hornets’ fast-break points: four.

Kings fast-break points: five.

Hornets biggest lead: four.

Kings biggest lead: one.

Times tied: three.

Hornets leading scorer: Chris Kaman, six.

Kings leading scorer: John Salmons, five.

THIRD QUARTER BREAKDOWN

Quarter score: Kings 30, Hornets 18

Hornets points in the paint: 12.

Kings points in the paint: 12.

Hornets second chance points: two.

Kings second chance points: two.

Hornets fast-break points: two.

Kings fast-break points 11.

Hornets biggest lead: four.

Kings biggest lead: 14.

Times tied: one.

Hornets leading scorer: Marco Belinelli, six.

Kings leading scorer: Evans, 13.

FOURTH QUARTER BREAKDOWN

Quarter score: Kings 28, Hornets 20

Hornets points in the paint: 16.

Kings points in the paint: 18.

Hornets second chance points: eight.

Kings second chance points: two.

Hornets fast-break points: 0.

Kings fast-break points: nine.

Hornets biggest lead: 0.

Kings biggest lead: 20.

Times tied: 0.

Hornets leading scorer: Carl Landry, six.

Kings leading scorer: Thornton, seven.

Read More: John Salmons (F – SAC), Chuck Hayes (F – SAC), J.J. Hickson (F – SAC), Tyreke Evans (G – SAC), Marcus Thornton (G – SAC), DeMarcus Cousins (C – SAC), Jimmer Fredette (G – SAC), New Orleans Hornets, Sacramento Kings

With a lot of distraction centering around Sacramento Kings big man DeMarcus Cousins and absence from the game on Sunday night, ti became clear the rest of the team would need to step up. Tyreke Evans and Marcus Thornton were up to the challenge, leading Sacramento a comfortable 96-80 win over the New Orleans Hornets.

Evans had 27 points, four rebounds and three assists, and Thornton added in 25 points, six rebounds and five steals. Chuck Hayes had 10 rebounds and J.J. Hickson had nine, while Jimmer Fredette added seven points, five assists and two steals off the bench. John Salmons also provided 13 points. The difference was at the three point line, where the Kings knocked in eight of 23 three pointers, and the Hornets missed all fifteen. Sacramento used a strong third quarter, outscoring New Orleans 30-18 to blow open a tied game.

To discuss the Kings victory, head on over to Sactown Royalty. To discuss the Hornets loss, go to At The Hive.

The Sacramento Kings and DeMarcus Cousins abruptly began to sever ties Sunday after the team said the promising young center demanded a trade.

Kings coach Paul Westphal released a statement before Sacramento hosted the New Orleans Hornets, criticizing Cousins’ commitment to the franchise and excusing him from the team’s game. He also confirmed that Cousins asked for a trade.

“Whenever a new season begins, in any sport, there is great hope that everything will progress in only a steady, upward direction,” Westphal said. “As we all know, it seldom happens like that in this life! As coaches, we can only ask that our players do everything they can to improve themselves as individuals and teammates. If they do this with all their hearts, we live with the results.

“Everything that happens on a team does not become known to the public,” Westphal continued. “This is how it should be. However, when a player continually, aggressively, lets it be known that he is unwilling/unable to embrace traveling in the same direction as his team, it cannot be ignored indefinitely.

“DeMarcus Cousins has demanded to be traded. In the best interest of our team as we go forward, he has been directed by me, with the support of management, to stay home from the New Orleans game tonight.”

When reached by phone, Cousins’ agent, John Greig, said he wasn’t informed of the Kings’ decision until Westphal’s announcement. He declined comment when asked if Cousins requested a trade.

“I have no idea what the Kings are doing,” Greig said. “The fact that I’m just finding out about this announcement now speaks volumes about them.”
The Kings had been expecting big things from Cousins this season.

They had been optimistic that he would show improved maturity after a strong rookie campaign that also had its share of temper tantrums and blow-ups. While the comical Cousins off the court never disappeared, the team expected its up-and-coming big man would learn to control his emotions.

Sacramento drafted Cousins with the fifth overall pick in 2010 after he spent one season at Kentucky. The 21-year-old Cousins was averaging 13 points and 11 rebounds in 27 minutes per game this season.

Cousins’ behavior has been well documented going back to high school and his one season at Kentucky, mixing in dramatic and astonishing plays with outbursts against players, coaches, trainers and referees.

His conditioning has been questioned and so has his work ethic, however, he showed up for training camp in prime condition and appeared ready for a breakout season.

Teamed with 2009-10 Rookie of the Year Tyreke Evans, Cousins was expected to anchor the frontline for a young and emerging roster in the deep Western Conference. Sacramento finished 24-58 last season and missed the playoffs for the fifth straight year, although a late-season surge behind a healthy Evans provided hope that maybe the Kings aren’t that far off from making the postseason again.

 
 

Read More: John Salmons (F – SAC), Metta World Peace (F – LAL), Pau Gasol (C – LAL), Chuck Hayes (F – SAC), Andrew Bynum (C – LAL), Kobe Bryant (G – LAL), Tyreke Evans (G – SAC), Marcus Thornton (G – SAC), DeMarcus Cousins (C – SAC), Sacramento Kings, Los Angeles Lakers, Los Angeles Lakers at Sacramento Kings, Dec 26, 2011 7:00 PM PST

The Sacramento Kings did their best to take advantage of a great opportunity to dispatch their rivals from Southern California, and they controlled the majority of their contest with the Los Angeles Lakers, winning 100-91.

Sacramento relied on great, efficient guard play from Marcus Thornton (27 points on only 13 shots) and Tyreke Evans (20 points on 13 shots), as they made every shot they needed to make to get the win. John Salmons added another 13 points, DeMarcus Cousins put up a double-double of 12 points and 11 boards, and Chuck Hayes added seven points, nine rebounds and three blocks. Kobe Bryant had 29 points, five rebounds and six assists to lead the Lakers, and got support from Metta World Peace (19 points) and Pau Gasol (15 points).

The Lakers, still clearly missing Andrew Bynum, were forced to go small on way too many occasions to match up with the Kings wing players. That did not help their perimeter defense though, as Sacramento buried 50% of their threes; Los Angeles was a woeful1 of 16 from behind the arc. In most other categories, the Lakers held firm with the Kings, but the three point line was their doom in this contest.

To discuss the game with Kings fans, head on over to Sactown Royalty. To discuss the game with Lakers fans, check out Silver Screen and Roll.

The Sacramento Kings have one of the youngest teams in the NBA this upcoming season. They are relying heavily on several young players to carry the load this season and lead the team to improving their play on the court. Several of these players are very talented and are certainly capable of doing that, but in tough times, they will have very little veteran presence on the team.

Sacramento only has four players on the final roster who are over 25 years of age. Those players include Francisco Garcia (30), Chuck Hayes (28), Travis Outlaw (27), and John Salmons (32). Out of those players, Hayes and Salmons are expected to be starters and see significant playing time this season. Outlaw is expected to back up both forward positions this season after recently signing with Sacramento.

Three of their veteran players are new to the team this season and the one returning player, Francisco Garcia, doesn’t figure to be a key player this season. Garcia will likely struggle to see playing time behind so many talented players at his position. He’s also failed to prove himself and earn playing time with his play in past seasons.

The biggest concern this leaves for fans is that when the team is struggling, who will step up as a leader on the team? This is typically the role of longtime veterans on a team. Tyreke Evans can certainly be that player for Sacramento although he is just 22 years old. Evans is entering his third NBA season and is the point guard of the team.

If Sacramento can get strong play out of their younger players and the veterans step up to provide some leadership, this could be a very good team for the upcoming season. Like any team, there are many question marks, but fans have to believe in Paul Westphal and the team. If they can sort through their issues and play fast, up-tempo basketball, Sacramento could be a team to look out for this upcoming season.

Kyle Rapoza is a Featured Contributor for the Yahoo! Contributor Network and a lifelong fan of the Sacramento Kings. He started going to Kings games at age six and has attended hundreds of games since. Follow him on twitter @kyler11.

Note: This article was written by a Yahoo! contributor. Sign up here to start publishing your own sports content.