Chandler Parsons participates in practice, 'good to go' for Game 1

Chandler Parsons plans to play Saturday in Game 1 of the Mavericks and Rockets first round series, finally making his return from right knee soreness and swelling that held him out of the regular season's final six games.

"I definitely feel much better today," Parsons told ESPN Dallas' Tim MacMahon. "I was able to get through everything and went up and down and did all the contact stuff. I definitely made a lot of progress from the last couple of days until now. I'm feeling much better. Hopefully, no setback from now until tomorrow, but if all goes well, I should play."

Parsons participated fully in Mavericks practice on Friday and will play Game 1 barring any unforeseen setbacks. Because of way he left the Rockets, Parsons is prepared to get booed on his return to the Toyota Center. "That's just how the world works," he told MacMahon, saying he booed Tracy McGrady and Shaq when they came back to the Magic, who he was a fan of growing up.

The Mavericks need Parsons at his best for the duration of the series if they hope to pull the upset.