By: Eric He

The Sacramento Kings snapped a two-game losing streak and maintained the eighth spot in the Western Conference playoff picture with a 120-113 win over the Nuggets on Tuesday on the road.

The win is the Kings’ fifth in seven games and third straight over the Nuggets. Sacramento led by six entering the fourth quarter. Denver got as close as three points, but the Kings managed to keep control of the game and pull away for the win.

DeMarcus Cousins led the way with 31 points, six rebounds and six assists, but he was helped by 26 points from Darren Collison and 18 points from Kosta Koufus. Aaron Afflalo chipped in 19 points off the bench. With Cousins on the bench to start the fourth, the Kings managed to increase the advantage, and the big man’s return bolstered them to victory.

The Kings led 60-51 at the half, and pushed the lead to as high as 13 in the third quarter. But Denver trimmed it to a three-point game to make it a close one entering the fourth.

Denver was paced by Danilo Gallinari’s 24 points.

The Kings’ record now stands at 15-19, good enough for a one-game lead over Portland for the eighth and final playoff spot in the West. They play the Heat at home on Wednesday.