"When the Kings' marketing team used Tyreke Evans and DeMarcus Cousins as centerpieces of a massive preseason ad campaign, there was reason to be apprehensive.

Evans was the reigning Rookie of the Year but still a very young player. Cousins was a rookie who was expected to have his struggles and not necessarily be a centerpiece of the team.

Thursday night at Arco Arena, Evans and Cousins played up to the billing.

The two young high draft choices led the Kings to a 122-102 rout of the Denver Nuggets.

The Kings' point total was a season high, and the win was the 300th of Paul Westphal's coaching career.

Sacramento improved to 8-25. The past six games are the best stretch the Kings have played since they started the season 3-1. They have gone 3-3 in those six games.

It was also the Kings' first win this season over a team with a winning record.

Evans looked as quick as he has all season in leading the Kings with 27 points and a season-high 12 assists, one short of his career high."