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Ford ready for action when Raptors host Clippers

Feb 8, 2008 - 1:49 PM LA Clippers (15-31) at Toronto (26-21) 7:00 pm EST

TORONTO (Ticker) - T.J. Ford is ready to return to his role as the starting point guard for the Toronto Raptors. However, Jose Calderon has other plans.

Ford will likely see more playing time in his second game back as the Raptors go for their second straight win on Friday when they host the Los Angeles Clippers.

After missing 24 games while recovering from a contusion of the spinal cord over a month ago, Ford returned to the court on Wednesday and scored four points and four assists in 17 minutes as the Raptors posted a 114-82 drubbing of the Miami Heat.

Ford suffered the injury on December 11 against the Atlanta Hawks when he took a frightening spill after getting fouled by rookie forward Al Horford, who unintentionally hit Ford in the face while he was attempting a layup.

While Ford was injured, Calderon - who had 11 points and 10 assists against the Heat - filled in nicely and is averaging 12.4 points and 8.7 assists while playing just over 31 minutes a game this season.

The Clippers have lost three of their last four games, including a 111-100 setback to the Boston Celtics during their last game on Wednesday.

Sam Cassell scored 10 points and added three assists for Los Angeles. Cassell's name has come up in trade rumors recently after the 38-year-old point guard picked up his play in January, averaging 13.9 points and 5.1 assists while shooting 47.7 percent for the month.