That DeMarcus Cousins and LeBron James led the Kings and Cavaliers, respectively, in one major offensive category Friday night was no surprise. The twist was which one.
Each team’s leading scorer this season was its most efficient facilitator on Friday, as James (15) and Cousins (11) set season highs in assists. James’ total was less unusual, as he is Cleveland’s assists leader on the season, ranking fifth in the league.
Cousins, though, entered Friday averaging less than four assists, and his 11 marked just the fifth double-digit game of his career. It was also one positive that coach Dave Joerger found in the Kings’ 120-108 loss, and representative of a trend he’d like to see continue, this evening against the Oklahoma City Thunder and beyond.