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Butler practices, should play vs. Celtics

Millsap practices, expected to play Friday

Nash expected to play through back injury

Blazers' Roy calls himself questionable

Shane Battier out six games with sore foot

Thornton plays well, Dunleavy on hot seat

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Player notes
Steve Nash - G - Suns
Steve Nash, who missed Tuesday's game with back spasms, is expected to play against the Clippers on Friday.
He made it through Thursday's practice with no issues and looks like a lock to play on Friday. Get him back in your lineup. Jan. 1 - 5:18 p.m. ET
Source: Arizona Republic

Brandon Roy - G/F - Trail Blazers
Brandon Roy has upgraded himself from doubtful to questionable for Friday's game against the Hornets with a hamstring injury that kept him out of his last game.
"I don't want to play tomorrow and the whole night not be able to do anything,'' Roy said. "I don't have to be at 100 percent, I just want to be able to make moves, and I don't know if I can do that just yet.'' Consider him a game-time decision for tomorrow. Jan. 1 - 4:24 p.m. ET
Source: The Oregonian

Caron Butler - G/F - Wizards
Caron Butler practiced on Thursday through his sprained ankle and is expected to play Friday against the Celtics.
He's missed three games with the injury and as long as there are no setbacks between now and Friday night, he should be in the starting lineup. Jan. 1 - 4:07 p.m. ET
Source: Washington Post

Jarron Collins - C - Jazz
Jarron Collins returned to Jazz practice on Thursday and is expected to be available for Friday's game against the Lakers.
He's been out for most of the season with an elbow injury but shouldn't offer much fantasy value even when he's healthy. Jan. 1 - 3:01 p.m. ET
Source: Salt Lake Tribune

Paul Millsap - F/C - Jazz
Paul Millsap, who has missed three straight games with a knee injury, practiced on Thursday and is expected to play against the Lakers on Friday.
This is great news for Millsap's owners, especially given the fact that Carlos Boozer needs surgery and will be out for at least another month. Millsap was expected to miss more than three games, but it sounds like it's safe to go ahead and get him in your lineup. Jan. 1 - 2:59 p.m. ET
Source: Salt Lake Tribune

Nenad Krstic - F/C - Thunder
Nenad Krstic was on the Thunder bench Wednesday in street clothes but won't be cleared to play until next week.
He's still waiting on his green card and won't be allowed to play until he has it. If you picked him up, don't put him in your lineup until you've see him play in at least a game or two for the Thunder. Jan. 1 - 9:23 a.m. ET
Source: Minneapolis Star-Tribune

Tyrus Thomas - F/C - Bulls
The Bulls fined Tyrus Thomas, Larry Hughes and Joakim Noah Tuesday for conduct detrimental to the team.
The three were apparently not happy when Vinny Del Negro reminded the team of a rule that prohibits pregame eating in the locker room, and were fined for inappropriate language or for being disrespectful to the coach. Thomas has seen his minutes cut over the last two games, and there's a decent chance that this is the reason why. Jan. 1 - 9:18 a.m. ET
Source: Charlotte Observer

Mardy Collins - G - Clippers
Mardy Collins started at small forward for the Clippers on Wednesday night, finishing with two points in 19 minutes.
It's a stretch to consider Collins a forward but shows the desperation the Clippers are feeling right now with Zach Randolph and Chris Kaman sidelined. Collins has no fantasy value, regardless of how many games he starts for coach Mike Dunleavy. Jan. 1 - 8:07 a.m. ET

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