When Ish Smith checks into the game with 4:24 remaining in the third quarter, the Sixers are in need of a jolt, a sudden push that alters the game’s complexion. Up to this point on an early March Friday evening inside the Wells Fargo Center, the Sixers’ normally active frontline, led by a uniquely destructive defensive force in rookie Nerlens Noel, was at the mercy of DeMarcus Cousins’ powerful and punishing brilliance, and the Sacramento Kings held an 80-70 advantage because of it. As Noel reflected after Cousins’ dominant 39-point, 24-rebound effort, "He's definitely a challenge, a big, big boy. I'll just go eat a couple of Big Macs and think about that."
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