Cousins forced to sit for Pelicans’ game vs. Pistons

Auburn Hills — The Pistons won’t get a chance to see the New Orleans Pelicans twins towers with DeMarcus Cousins and Anthony Davis, after all. That’s because Cousins will sit out because of a one-game suspension, levied by the NBA on Tuesday after Cousins picked up his 18th technical foul of the season, on Sunday.

It’s the second suspension without pay for Cousins, after he reached the league-mandated limit of 16 technicals in a season. Every second technical foul after that results in a one-game suspension — and the Pelicans’ next game is hosting the Pistons on Wednesday.

In the matchup against the Oklahoma City Thunder, Cousins got tangled up with Steven Adams. After a personal foul was called, Cousins and Adams collided and double technical fouls were assessed, 32 seconds into the game.

“I don’t feel I did anything wrong to receive it,” Cousins told reporters Sunday. “Hopefully, the league handles it the right way and hopefully I get the benefit of the doubt. We’ll see.”

It’s another precarious position for the Pelicans (23-37), who are trying to rally after acquiring Cousins at the trade deadline last week. New Orleans is 31/2 games behind the Denver Nuggets in the race for the No. 8 seed in the West, with 22 games remaining.

Cousins fouled out in the fourth quarter against the Thunder, but finished with 31 points and 10 rebounds. In three games with Pelicans, Cousins is averaging 23.3 points, 13 rebounds, 4.7 assists and 2.7 steals.

Pistons at Pelicans

Tip-off: 8 p.m. Wednesday, Smoothie King Center, New Orleans

TV/radio: FSD/WMGC

Outlook: The Pelicans (23-37) will be without DeMarcus Cousins, who is serving a one-game suspension. They've lost all three games since acquiring Cousins at the trade deadline.

rod.beard@detroitnews.com

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