Nuggets guard Lawson to return against Mavericks

Denver point guard Ty Lawson was set to return Friday night against Dallas after missing the past five games with a right foot injury.

Andre Miller was expected to start, and Nuggets coach George Karl said Lawson would play about 20 minutes.

The fourth-year point guard has played in just one game since March 21 because of a right plantar fasciitis tear. He was in for 20 minutes against San Antonio on March 27 before getting sidelined again.

Lawson leads the team at 16.7 points and 6.9 assists per game, and Karl wants him to see action in the final four games before the playoffs.

Denver entered Friday with 20 wins in 22 games and is fighting for home court in the first round.