The way that DeMarcus Cousins has been playing lately, the Minnesota Timberwolves were looking like fools for passing on him in favor of Wesley Johnson last year. The way Nikola Pekovic is emerging as a force in the middle is definitely softening that blow. Pekovic had 23 points and 10 rebounds, and Michael Beasley added 17 points and 14 boards to lead Minnesota to an 86-84 victory over the Sacramento Kings on Tuesday night in their first game without the suspended Kevin Love.
