Blazers' Aldridge returns Wednesday after brief absence

Wednesday's game between the Portland Trail Blazers and Dallas Mavericks is about as meaningless as a late-season game between two playoff teams gets, but LaMarcus Aldridge will still use the contest to get game-ready for the playoffs.

Aldridge will return from a two-game absence caused by a left foot sprain and expects to play his usual load of minutes, despite the fact that both Portland and Dallas enter Wednesday already locked into their fourth and seventh seeds, respectively.

Given that the All-Star big man has missed three of the last five games, he could just be looking to get a good run in, but Blazers fans can be forgiven for feeling uneasy given that Aldridge is still playing through a torn ligament in his left hand.

Aldridge is averaging 23.5 points, 10.3 rebounds, 1.8 assists and a block through 70 games played for the 51-30 Blazers.