NBA Game Preview - Sacramento at New Orleans

Fri Mar 31, 2017 8:00 PM EDT

NEW ORLEANS -- There was no cartoon bubble above DeMarcus Cousins' head Thursday to indicate what he truly meant to say -- as opposed to what he actually said -- but there is no question the New Orleans Pelicans' newly minted center is anticipating the chance to play for the first time against his old team, the Sacramento Kings, on Friday night at the Smoothie King Center.

"It's just another chance to come out, play hard and try to get a win," Cousins said, smiling, after several questions about what it will be like to play against the Kings, who traded him to New Orleans in a blockbuster deal during the All-Star break.

Cousins, who was chosen fifth overall by the Kings in the 2010 NBA draft, eventually came closer to the truth, saying he would enjoy reuniting with his former teammates and coaching staff.

In his 6 1/2 seasons in Sacramento, Cousins established himself as one of the league's premier centers -- as well as a lightning rod on the court for his emotional style of play. Cousins' Sacramento career was tempestuous at times, but he insisted he was pleased despite never making the playoffs.

"I enjoyed my time there," Cousins said. "I developed a lot of relationships. It'll be good to see the guys again. I haven't seen them since before the (All-Star) break. It'll be a good chance to see those guys and laugh a little bit. But seriously, it's another chance for us to come out and get better. That's how I'm approaching the game."

Kings guard Garrett Temple said he expects fireworks.

"If I was in (Cousins') shoes, I'd come out trying to take it to us," Temple said after the Kings' loss to the Utah Jazz on Wednesday.

New Orleans coach Alvin Gentry said no matter how much Cousins tries to downplay the initial reunion, he knows his emotions will be off the chart, trying to prove something to the team that traded him away.

"I think guys are kidding themselves when they say it's just another game. It's never just another game," Gentry said. "It's just like coaches, when you get fired by a team and you play them, you want to beat that team. It's not like when you play anyone else. It's human nature."

The game has some meaning to the Pelicans (32-43). They are five games out of the eighth playoff seed in the Western Conference and probably would have to win their final seven games to have any chance of leap-frogging the Portland Trail Blazers for the final postseason spot.

The Pelicans, who are 9-9 since the Cousins trade, have two more home games remaining -- including their home finale Tuesday against the Nuggets -- before finishing the season with four consecutive road games. Making the road games even more challenging are the two sets of back-to-backs (Nuggets-Warriors and Lakers-Trail Blazers).

Since going 2-6 with Cousins alongside Anthony Davis, the Pelicans have won seven of their past 10 games. Cousins said the team's recent play is indicative of the great things that can happen for the Pelicans next season.

Davis has scored more than 30 points in each the past four games, and Cousins said the two are learning how to play off each other.

"Honestly, I think we've both eased up the pressure on each other," Cousins said. "In the past, there were games where it felt like there were a hundred people just hanging all over me. But, since I've been here ... I'm seeing new defensive schemes that I've never seen in my career before. I definitely think we've eased up the pressure on one other and we're more free out there."

Sacramento (29-46) had won two straight against playoff teams (the Los Angeles Clippers and the Memphis Grizzlies) before losing 104-84 at Utah on Wednesday.

The Kings are 5-13 since trading Cousins for guards Buddy Hield, Tyreke Evans and Langston Galloway and the Pelicans' No. 1 pick in the 2017 draft (as long as New Orleans does not have a top-three pick).

Cousins, who scored 41 points last week in a victory over Memphis, said he will be ready against his old team.

"I'm not trying to make it personal or anything like that," Cousins said. "I was joking when I said it, but I'm really serious: My only focus is to go in and get a win. This is just another opportunity for us to go in and get better. ... To come in and try to make it about me, that would be a selfish move on my end."