Over the past two weeks, Linas Kleiza and J.R. Smith have shown the consistency of unstirred pancake batter.

Double-digit scoring games one night, single-digit duds, the next.

Seeking a bit of sanity and a defensive edge at the opening tip, Nuggets coach George Karl is considering starting veteran guard Anthony Carter today against the Houston Rockets.

With forward Carmelo Anthony out with a broken right hand for the past five games, Karl has Kleiza and Smith in the starting lineup, with varying degrees of success.

Kleiza scored 21 points as a starter against Miami on Jan. 7 but managed just one point two days later against Detroit.

Smith supplanted Kleiza in the starting lineup Jan. 13 and promptly went 1-for-14 from the floor against Dallas, only to bounce back with 19 points against Phoenix. He then went 2-for-13 Saturday against Orlando.

``I think they’re very good young players, and young players, the thing they must learn is consistency,’’ Karl said. ``They haven’t reached the goal yet. I think both of them, they need to take out those bad games.’’

With the exception of 7-foot-6 center Yao Ming and his 7-2 backup Dikembe Mutombo, the Rockets do not have any other players taller than 6-9, allowing Karl to stick with a three-guard lineup.

``I’m not very big on matchups as I am how we start the game and how I can get positive pieces working,’’ Karl said. ``Sometimes size dictates to me who should play, but I don’t think Houston gives us a size problem, so . . . there’s a possibility A.C. will be the starter, come out with our defensive game first.’’

Carter, the backup to starting point guard Chauncey Billups, is a strong perimeter defender, but he tends to struggle offensively when he shifts to the shooting-guard position.

``Offensively, I’m kind of stagnant because (Billups) is out there and he’s running the ball up the court and I have to be in the two-spot,’’ Carter said. ``I’m not that familiar with the two-spot, so it’s kind of different there.’’

Kleiza, meanwhile, has found a comfort zone off the bench in the past two games. Mired in a 1-for-12 shooting slump, he scored 18 points against Phoenix and added 26 Saturday against Orlando.

Kleiza hit 4-of-7 three-pointers in those two games, but he was even more successful driving to the hoop and running the floor in transition.

``I felt like I could get to the hole,’’ he said. ``I’m doing a great job the last two games. I feel like guys couldn’t stay in front of me. We penetrate first and look to shoot second.’’