Kings center DeMarcus Cousins said he won't change the way he plays knowing that he's one technical foul from a one-game suspension.

Cousins picked up his 12th technical of the season in the Kings' win over the Utah Jazz last Friday.

NBA rules dictate that when a player reaches 13 technical fouls, he will be suspended for one game. Every two technical fouls thereafter result in another one-game suspension.

"Some of my technicals, just, I don't even understand," Cousins said before the Kings played the Los Angeles Clippers on Thursday. "I see some of those technicals other players get, and I compare them to mine and they're completely unfair."

Against the Jazz, Cousins drew a technical with 1:52 remaining in the third quarter following a play on which contact from a Jazz player caused Cousins to start bleeding under his eyebrow.

Cousins was tied Thursday for the most technical fouls in the league with Oklahoma City Thunder center Kendrick Perkins.

Kings coach Keith Smart said he will not advise Cousins to subdue his passionate, sometimes fiery play in order to avoid picking up No. 13.

"If it happens, it happens," Smart said. "He knows where he's at, and if it happens, he'll take a seat and watch."

Down the stretch – Including Thursday's game against the Clippers, the Kings play nine of their final 12 games this season against teams in position to make the playoffs.

Smart, though, balked at the notion that the Kings might go into those games intending to play "spoiler." He said the schedule merely allows the Kings to continue their development against some of the league's top teams.

"I like the fact that every game matters to us just as well as it matters to these other teams," he said. "We're trying to establish how we want to play and where we want to be in the next year or so."

Going green – Cousins and point guard Isaiah Thomas were among the Kings players who swapped their typical purple or white headbands for green ones Thursday.

The NBA is holding its "Green Week" from April 4-11 in an effort to promote environmental awareness. According to the league's website, all 30 teams also are wearing uniforms made from 60 percent recycled materials.

Injury report – Kings leading scorer Marcus Thornton missed his second consecutive game because of a bruised left calf. Smart said Thornton was "walking much better but still not ready to get on the floor and play yet."

John Salmons missed his sixth consecutive game because of a sore right hip.

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