Nicolas Batum (knee) is on pace to return Friday against the Bulls, The Oregonian reports.

Batum (knee) is on pace to return Friday against the Bulls, The Oregonian reports.

Analysis:

Batum has missed the last four games with a knee contusion but said he could have played limited minutes Monday, had there been the need. The forward underwent two Platelet Rich Plasma treatments early last week in an effort to speed up the recovery process, and he's now on track to play Friday against the Bulls. The Blazers were off Tuesday, and Batum will test out the knee in practices Wednesday and Thursday with the expectation that team doctors will clear him for Friday's contest.