Kings notes: Greene makes rare start

PHOENIX – Forward Donté Greene started for the second time this season when the Kings faced the Phoenix Suns on Sunday at US Airways Center.

Greene, who also started Jan. 23 at Portland, replaced Jason Thompson to defend Suns power forward Channing Frye, a good three-point shooter.

Kings coach Keith Smart hoped Greene's height (6-foot-11) and athleticism would allow him to bother Frye more than Thompson, who is more accustomed to playing near the basket.

"Watching (Frye) over the last four games, he was moving in different positions on the floor," Smart said. "So I needed a perimeter player to still be big enough yet still be able to understand where (Frye) might be."

Frye had 11 points on 3-of-12 shooting (0 of 1 from three-point range) and 10 rebounds. Greene scored seven of his eight points in the first quarter.

"I thought Donté gave us the energy we needed in the first quarter," Smart said.

Greene's playing time has increased in the past two games with J.J. Hickson out because of a left hip pointer and not traveling with the team.

"I couldn't make a shot (3 of 8)," Green said. "Defensively, I just tried to pressure Frye or whoever the four man was out there. I did all right, I guess, but we didn't get the win."

Greene didn't take the starting assignment as a future sign, as his playing time has fluctuated all season.

"I just come every night ready to play and help my teammates out," Greene said.

Rare appearance – Forward Travis Outlaw played eight minutes, scoring four points and blocking one shot. He hadn't played in the previous six games. The matchup at power forward was also why Smart used Outlaw.

"I wanted to come back with another hybrid-type (power forward)," Smart said.

Ready for home – Tonight's game at Denver will be the Kings' 24th on the road this season. They begin a nine-game homestand Wed- nesday against New Orleans.

It will be the longest homestand in franchise history by one game.

First time – Kings center DeMarcus Cousins was called for a flagrant foul, penalty 1 (unnecessary contact) against Frye with 9:59 left in the third quarter. It was the first flagrant foul called against the Kings this season.

A flagrant foul, penalty 2 (unnecessary and excessive contact) would have meant an automatic ejection.

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