Steve Francis returned to practice Friday after getting a day off from Thursday's workout, saying he had no problem with his right knee.

"I went to see Russ (Paine, a Houston rehabilitation specialist)," Francis said. "It was nothing major. I'm cool. It's great. I went to get extra work done."

Francis said he was sore but that the knee did not cause him any problems in his starts against Toronto and Philadelphia. He did not play Wednesday against Detroit.

"Just trying to keep some maintenance," Francis said. "I don't want to break down at all. That Toronto game, I was beat. That was my first game starting. I was pretty sore the next day."

"Hopefully, when I get a chance to get back on the court, I'll be able to prove myself."