DraftKings Post-Ups: Rondo, Cousins are a Deadly Duo

BOSTON – DeMarcus Cousins has been one of the most feared offensive producers in the NBA over the last few seasons. Now, with Rajon Rondo by his side, the versatile center has been virtually unstoppable this season.

Cousins is currently ranked third in the NBA in scoring, averaging a career-high 27.0 points per game. He’s also attempting a league-high 20.6 field goal attempts per game.

Rondo’s presence is the main reason behind those numbers.

The former Celtics point guard, who is dishing out a league-high 11.7 assists per game, has assisted on 41.9 percent (158 out of 377) of Cousins’ field goals this season. It took no time at all for the tandem to gain chemistry, and they have quickly become one of the most dynamic duos in the league.

“[They’re] just ridiculously talented,” Celtics coach Brad Stevens said before taking on the Kings Sunday afternoon. “Rondo’s an excellent pick-and-roll player, he’s an excellent pick-and-roll passer. Cousins’ ability to not only roll and finish, but also to play in the seams at 15 feet or even pop to the 3 gives you all kinds of advantages there. He’s probably getting three or four assists off the high screens with Cousins a game.”

Rondo’s assist average is tied for the highest mark in his career. He also 11.7 with the Celtics during the 2011-12 lockout season.

“He’s playing really well,” Stevens said of Rondo. “He’s really pushing the tempo; they’re fourth in transition in the league. He’s having a great year.”

Because of Rondo’s high-tempo nature, the Kings are leading the league in pace (102.08 possessions per game). That fast-paced offense is enabling them to average 106.8 points per game, which is third in the league behind Golden State and Oklahoma City.

Sacramento’s offense, however, did not have good flow when they faced Boston on Dec. 3 in Mexico City. The Celtics routed the Kings, 114-97, and limited Cousins to just 16 points on 4-of-17 shooting from the field. Boston also held Rondo to just five points and eight assists during that contest.

That game, however, was an anomaly for the Kings duo. Cousins was limited to just 25 minutes because of foul trouble, and Rondo played only 24 minutes because he was ejected from the game.

After Rondo was ejected midway through the third quarter, Cousins’ offensive production was relatively non-existent – he only made one field goal attempt during the remainder of the game.

Sunday afternoon, the C’s should be prepared for a different type of game from those two. The tandem has been as hot as ever lately. During Sacramento’s last 15 games, Cousins has averaged 30.5 PPG, and his sidekick, Rondo, has assisted on 46.3 percent of his field goals during that span.

- Taylor C. Snow