Greg Smith and Other Key Players for the Houston Rockets-Denver Nuggets 2013 Season Finale

The Houston Rockets have had a lot of problems trying to defeat the Denver Nuggets this year. They have had none- zero games won against them, opposed to the Memphis Grizzlies, the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Los Angeles Clippers. However, the Rockets have had a bit of luck recently, which is why they have been able to defeat those teams recently. The Denver transition and three point game is very difficult for Houston to beat however, even if Houston is the second scoring team in the league. As for the key players of the game,

Jan 23, 2013; Houston, TX, USA; Denver Nuggets center JaVale McGee (34) and Houston Rockets power forward Greg Smith (4) attempt to get control of the ball during the third quarter at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

Greg Smith

Omer Asik might be able to box out Kosta Koufos, but Koufos still has length.

With Asik on JaVale McGee? I see a lot of Denver dunks. I see JaVale straight up jumping over Asik as if he was not there and posterizing him. Greg Smith on the other hand? He is athletic and can leap. Can he take the ball out of JaVale’s hands? I don’t know. But I see him as the Rocket’s best chance as stopping the dunk monster known as JaVale McGee.

Timofey Mozgov? If they choose to use him, he may be shooting perimeter shots. Smith can get their quicker than Asik.

I see him being a key defender in the game as well as being a major offensive option if he can master the pick and roll with Jeremy Lin. Speaking of which..

Jan 23, 2013; Houston, TX, USA; Denver Nuggets point guard Andre Miller (24) controls the ball during the second quarter as Houston Rockets point guard Jeremy Lin (7) defends at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

Jeremy Lin

Ty Lawson is out, so there should not be a speed issue tonight, except maybe from French Mamba Evan Fournier. Andre Miller’s currently 37 years old and was always a bit of a defensive liability. The Rockets should definitely take advantage of that mismatch. As for Fournier, he matched Lin’s breakout year in New York. He’s played a lot fewer games however. He may want to show off in front of Lin. However, the Rockets are full of ball thieves, so Fournier could be slowed down a bit. Except maybe for their arms, neither player really has much size over Lin.  On the Denver side…

Andre Iguodala

Ever since his first game guarding James Harden this season, Andre Iguodala has always given problems to James Harden when it came to starting his rhythm. It is not like the Houston Rockets has no depth on the roster and is Kobe Bryant dependent like the Los Angeles Lakers are this year. However, cannot blame Iggy for what works: when you want to kill a snake, go for the head.