J-Smoove's Positioning For Biggest Rebound of Career

Josh Smith has 6,587 rebounds in over a decade of NBA play, but helping this Houston Rockets team turn the corner could be the biggest rebound of his career.

The Houston Rockets are looking up in the standings against their interstate rival Dallas Mavericks ahead of this afternoon's showdown in Houston. The Rockets stand at 23-22, but are undefeated (1-0) since acquiring Josh Smith from the L.A. Clippers in a mid-season trade.

Smith did what the Rockets need in a win over the Milwaukee Bucks. His passing was the best on the court, he put a body on people and created space on the offensive and defensive ends. All vital needs as Dwight Howard misses today's game with a rolled ankle.

Former Rocket Chandler Parsons has the wind at his back after a season-high 30 points against the Timberwolves, getting the ball for a game-winning miss against the Thunder (after riding pine for crunch time most of the season) and partying with Johnny Football.

Houston hopes to recreate the first round of the playoffs from last season, where Houston dispatched Dirk Nowitzki and the Mavs in five games.