LeBron James is expected to return to the Cleveland Cavaliers' lineup Friday against the Philadelphia 76ers, while Antawn Jamison will be a game-time decision.

They were just two of six players to miss practice Wednesday for the Cavaliers, who took advantage of a break in the schedule to rest all five of their regular starters.

James missed two games after twisting his right ankle last Friday against Detroit, but is likely to play at Philadelphia, Cleveland coach Mike Brown said. James has played the sixth-most minutes in the league this season, averaging 39 per game.

Jamison won't practice the rest of the week after revealing he has a cyst behind his left knee that is filled with fluid.

Shaquille O'Neal continues to rehab following surgery on his right thumb, while Anthony Parker and Mo Williams also took Wednesday off to rest nagging injuries. Key sub Anderson Varejao also missed practice, but it wasn't clear if he had an injury or just took the day off.

All are expected to play Friday except for O'Neal and perhaps Jamison. An MRI earlier this week showed no damage to the knee.

"Perfect timing for something like this to happen," Jamison said, referring to the three days off between games. "This organization is looking at the overall picture to make sure guys are healthy when it counts."

Rafer Alston's absence took another turn with the team denying that the embattled point guard was told shortly before his sudden departure he would no longer get playing time.

Alston was quoted by ESPN.com saying that he chose to leave because of a personal issue involving a family member, plus said Heat coach Erik Spoelstra told him that he "wouldn't be playing any more."

Spoelstra said he still has not heard from Alston since a text-message exchange last week -- and denied Alston was told that his minutes were gone, saying only that the 11th-year guard was informed that Carlos Arroyo was taking over the starting job.

Minnesota Timberwolves forward Ryan Hollins has been suspended for two games after separate run-ins Monday with Dirk Nowitzki and DeShawn Stevenson of the Dallas Mavericks. Hollins punched Stevenson while boxing him out on a free throw in the second quarter. He then struck Nowitzki in the head with his left forearm late in the fourth quarter, drawing a Flagrant-2 foul and an ejection. ... Rodney Stuckey of the Detroit Pistons has been cleared for exercise after a heart evaluation. Stuckey collapsed on the bench Friday at Cleveland and was taken away on a stretcher. ... Denver Nuggets coach George Karl stayed at home to receive treatment for cancer and did not make the trip to Minnesota for the game. Assistant Adrian Dantley filled in as head coach for the fourth time this season.

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