"The Rockets released guard Jeremy Lin late Saturday night to reduce the roster to 14 players and make room to sign center Samuel Dalembert.

Dalembert, 30, agreed to join the Rockets on Wednesday, but they were unable to sign him in time to go through Friday's two practices or the Saturday morning practice.

Coach Kevin McHale was unsure if Dalembert, 6-11, would play tonight against Dwight Howard and the Magic.

"I think it is (a setback)," Rockets guard Kevin Martin said of Dalembert not practicing before the season opener. "We looked forward to him getting out there, getting into game shape, trying to get our system down. Of course it's a setback, but Jordan (Hill), (Hasheem) Thabeet and Marcus Morris, they have to step up."

Still, Martin is happy to have the help.

"That was our Christmas gift," Martin said. "We need somebody like that on this team, like we all know. We're ready for him to get out there and see what he has.""