Jonas Valanciunas: Cleared to practice

Valanciunas (hand) has been cleared to return to practice.

Analysis:

Valanciunas has been sidelined since suffering the fracture in his hand on Nov. 20 against the Lakers, but the Raptors' big man appears closer to his return to game action. Barring any setbacks, he could be back in the starting lineup by the end of December or early January.