Chris Paul Returns to Rockets Lineup After Missing 17 Games

HOUSTON - Chris Paul will return for the Houston Rockets against the Orlando Magic but will play for limited minutes after missing the last 17 games with a strained left hamstring.

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The nine-time All-Star has been out since he was injured Dec. 20 in a loss at Miami.

Coach Mike D’Antoni said he hopes to keep Paul's minutes somewhere in the mid-20s on Sunday night.

The Rockets have done well in Paul’s absence, going 12-5 behind the high-scoring of James Harden and some help from the addition of Austin Rivers, who started while Paul was out.  His return is expected to ease some of the burden on Harden.

The news of Paul's return has had little impact on the line, which has hovered mostly between Rockets -8.5 and -9. 

- Dan Shapiro, Gambling911.com and the Associated Press was used for this report