Out of a third-quarter dunk by the Kings' Jason Thompson, Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook pushed the ball in transition with Kings center DeMarcus Cousins hovering on the defensive end.

Late in the fourth quarter, a similar scene unfolded, with Westbrook running a fast break after a blocked shot.

In both cases, Cousins stepped in front of Westbrook and drew the offensive foul.

Before the Kings defeated Oklahoma City 106-101 Thursday night, Cousins was asked how long taking charges has been a part of his game. "Since I figured out I couldn't block shots," he answered half-jokingly.

Regardless, it is a strategy he employs often. According to the statistics website Hoopdata.com, Cousins had taken a league-leading 23 charges entering Friday's games.

"He's the best in the NBA right now as far as drawing charges," said Kings coach Keith Smart. "That's a unique skill for a big man, to be able to come over and take a charge. He's one of those guys that know how to do that."

Inviting contact from a driving player almost guarantees a foul will be called. Calls, of course, don't always go Cousins' way, so the play is risky.

Against the Thunder, Cousins had picked up three fouls in the first quarter and sat the rest of the first half as a result.

Smart, though, says he tries not to "overreact" when his players get into foul trouble, so he told Cousins not to be hesitant on defense in the second half.

"I said, 'You have to still play,' " Smart said. " 'If you save yourself and get out of the way, all of a sudden, now they're going to just keep coming to the basket.' He's not a shot blocker, but he's a good charge taker.

"What that does for an opponent, a guy like Westbrook or someone like that, they know that there's a possibility that big guy's going to be waiting for me with a charge, not with a block. … With a charge, you don't get that foul back."

The Kings have been very protective of the interior since giving up 92 points in the paint to the Denver Nuggets on Jan. 25. In the past seven games, they have outscored their opponents in the paint by an average of 47.7-38.0.

Smart said improved team defense has been the biggest factor in the Kings' recent stretch of four wins in five games.

It will be key again tonight when the Kings host the Phoenix Suns at Power Balance Pavilion.

At 38 years old, Suns point guard Steve Nash is still capable of picking a defense apart on the pick-and-roll.

Nash is good at seeking out the defender he wants to target with the pick-and-roll – often a big man who is trying to protect the paint – and drawing him into the play, Smart said.

Because Nash is patient, a precise passer and willing to explore his options, the Kings must know where the other Suns are on the floor and must communicate on defense.

"A lot of teams try to put us in pick-and-roll just to try to break us apart, get an easy bucket," said Kings guard Tyreke Evans. "We're not the best at (defending the) pick-and-roll, but we do a good job of stopping them when we need to."

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