METAIRIE, La. -- New Orleans center DeMarcus Cousins says he was protecting a rebound the way all big men are taught when he was ejected for a flagrant foul during a game against Oklahoma City.
Cousins was called for a flagrant foul 2 when he raised his right elbow near Thunder guard Russell Westbrook's head during the third quarter of the Pelicans' 114-107 victory Monday night.
Cousins, who did not speak about the play until after Tuesday's practice, says Westbrook "did a good job of selling" the foul in the way he fell to the floor.