Rockets Small-Ball Lineup Beats Jokic When a Forward Plays Center

The Houston Rockets utilized a small-ball lineup featuring forward Jabari Smith Jr. at center to defeat Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets 110-100 on Monday. With Steven Adams, Clint Capela, and Oscar Tshiebwe sidelined, head coach Ime Udoka shifted Smith to the five whenever Alperen Sengun rested. Houston finished plus-13 in the 13 minutes Smith played center, effectively countering Denver's second-half surge to improve to 8-3 on the season.

Kevin Durant contributed 23 points, alongside season highs of 12 rebounds and eight assists, while Sengun added 20 points and eight assists. Jamal Murray led the Nuggets with 38 points and Jokic recorded 25 points and 16 rebounds, but they were the only Denver players to reach double figures.