Blazers' Batum returns vs. Bulls

The 8-3 Portland Trail Blazers are about to get a boost.

Starting small forward Nicolas Batum, who has missed the last four games after suffering a right knee contusion against the Nuggets on Nov. 9, will be in the lineup against the Chicago Bulls on Friday.

The Trail Blazers actually managed to win all four games without Batum, including a game in Brooklyn without Batum or LaMarcus Aldridge, but the two-way Frenchmen is a welcome addition to their starting lineup again.

Batum has struggled to score in his seven games so far this season, averaging only nine points on 36 percent shooting, but he's also added 7.7 rebounds, 5.7 assists and 1.0 steals per game.