Rockets’ Jeremy Lin says he’ll play tonight

With starting point guard Patrick Beverly out four-to-six weeks with a broken hand, the Houston Rockets need a lot of help at point guard.

It sounds like that will happen tonight when the Rockets host the Dallas Mavericks, at least according to Jeremy Lin.

"Rockets guard Jeremy Lin, who has missed 10 of the past 12 games, told reporters during shootaround that he will play Monday night against the Dallas Mavericks.Lin has been bothered recently by back spasms, but told the Houston Chronicle his back was feeling better and he was more confident in his movements."

The Rockets are also without their other starting guard, James Harden. Harden, who is averaging 23.9 points, 5.6 assists and 4.5 rebounds per game, is nursing an ankle sprain, so the Rockets may have to rely on Lin more than they’d like.

“Hopefully, I’ll be back Monday if there are no setbacks,” Lin told the Houston Chronicle over the weekend. “Just to get back in shape after having to sit, not do anything for a while, not even really being able to sit, let alone jog or run, it’s good to sweat again and get your body going.”

Lin is averaging 14.3 points, 4.2 assists and 2.4 rebounds per game.