Kings' Cousins to play only home games for rest of season

With a 13-25 road record, the Sacramento Kings' poor play away from home has hampered the team throughout the season - a trend that's likely to continue for the remainder of the year.

With almost no chance of reaching the playoffs, the Kings plan to use mercurial center DeMarcus Cousins in only home games for the remainder of the season, head coach George Karl said Friday.

If true, Cousins won't play against the Denver Nuggets, Phoenix Suns, and Houston Rockets to finish the year.

Thanks to a combination of injuries and suspensions, the Kentucky product has already missed 12 contests this season, with the Kings going just 2-12 in his absence.

With Cousins sitting several games, rookie Willie Cauley-Stein will be given the opportunity to prove his worth in what has been an up-and-down season for the 22-year-old.