Player of the game: Tyreke Evans had 25 points and 10 assists to lead New Orleans past the Kings and end their four-game winning streak. Evans outscored the Kings’ starting backcourt by 16 points.

Turning point: On his way to a dominant night, DeMarcus Cousins (39 points, 20 rebounds) had to take a break in the second quarter. That gave the Pelicans enough time to pull ahead and lead most of the game. New Orleans outscored the Kings in each of the final three quarters.

Key stats: The Pelicans shot 51.2 percent. The Kings shot 44.3 percent and had only 14 assists.

X-factors: Norris Cole had 12 points off the bench for New Orleans, Toney Douglas had five assists and the Pelicans’ bench was important all night. The Kings’ bench scored 12 points and made two assists.

Records: Kings 26-46; Pelicans 38-34

Injury update: New Orleans is still without Ryan Anderson (right MCL sprain).

Up next: At Memphis, Monday, 5 p.m., CSNCA

Jason Jones