Jeremy Lin NBA Highlights: Houston Rockets PG Breaks Out of Offensive Struggles With Big Stats in Week of March 24 to March 31, 2013

It has been a busy week for Jeremy Lin, with recent injuries in the Houston Rockets’ starting lineup forcing the 24-year-old point guard with the global following to take a bigger role in the offense in the last week.

And Lin has responded to the challenge, tacking on strong performances in his last two games for the Rockets as they keep up their pursuit of the Golden State Warriors and the No.6 seed in the 2013 NBA Playoffs.

Part of that had to do with the Rockets needing to fill a void left by the notable absence of All-Star James Harden, who has missed the last two games thanks to a nagging ankle injury; Chandler Parsons, the Rockets’ second leading scorer, has also missed a game due to injury. The result is that Lin has once again become the focal point of the offense, getting boosts in minutes and shots that have put Lin back on track.

But it didn’t start out that way. Despite Lin having his best month in March as a Houston Rocket, averaging over 16 points and five assists in the first nine games in March, Lin saw his minutes drop in the four games leading up to Saturday’s game against the Clippers, though he found ways to contribute.

On March 24 against the San Antonio Spurs, Lin scored six points and five assists in 27 minutes of action as the Rockets, led by Harden’s 29 points and nine rebounds as the Rockets finally beat the San Antonio Spurs 96-95 at home for the first time in their four-game series this season.

Then on March 27, Lin scored eight points with four assists on 3-of-6 shooting, but played only 20 minutes as the Rockets fell to the Indiana Pacers 100-91.

The line was more or less the same for Lin against the Grizzlies on March 29, playing only 23 minutes and shooting a dismal 3-for-9 from the field for eight points and three assists as Memphis beat Houston 103-94.

However, the mood changed the following night on March 30 in a high-profile game against the Pacific Division-leading L.A. Clippers and All-Star Game MVP Chris Paul. With Harden out due to an ankle injury, Lin played 31 minutes, during which he shot only 4-for-10 from the field but ended up driving to the hoop more, netting 15 points and three assists in a lopsided game the that Rockets won easily, 98-81, over the Clippers.

And the action continued for Lin on Monday, Lin shooting 8-for-16 from the field for a double-double of 19 points and 11 assists as the Rockets beat the Magic 111-103.

How long Lin’s resurgence will last this time around with only eight games remaining in the Rockets’ season is anyone’s guess. But one thing is for certain--at least for now, Lin is on fire once again.