Player of the game: All-Star center DeMarcus Cousins had 37 points and 20 rebounds, leading the Kings to a 116-110 win over Denver on Friday night at Sleep Train Arena. It was the Kings’ second consecutive win after four consecutive defeats.

Turning point: After Danilo Gallinari’s two free throws pulled Denver within 105-100 with 2:30 to play, the Kings scored on consecutive possessions to lead 109-100 and held off the Nuggets.

X-factor: The Kings survived despite allowing a season-high 34 points off turnovers. It helped that Darren Collison (17 points) was solid off the bench and the Kings shot 10 of 21 from three-point range.

Records: Kings 23-31, Nuggets 22-33

Key injuries: Forward Omri Casspi (wisdom tooth extraction) and guard Marco Belinelli (tooth extraction) missed the game for the Kings.