Cousins complains of elbow intolerance after Russell tussle

New Orleans center DeMarcus Cousins angrily protested he was protecting a rebound the way all big men are taught when he was ejected for a flagrant foul during Monday's victory over Oklahoma City.

Cousins was called for a flagrant-2 foul when he raised his right elbow near Thunder guard Russell Westbrook's head during the third quarter of the Pelicans' 114-107 win in New Orleans.

Cousins, who did not speak about the play until after Tuesday's practice, said Westbrook "did a good job of selling" the foul in the way he fell to the floor, holding his head.