Butler will start Wednesday's game in Golden State. Butler's appearance in the starting five will push Tayshaun Prince to the bench. In two previous nods this season, Butler averaged 13.5 points (on 54 percent shooting), 2.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 2.5 steals, and 1.5 treys in 27 minutes.

Butler (back) started Friday following a two-game absence. He scored 20 points (6-10 FG, 2-5 3Pt, 6-6 FT) and added four rebounds, three assists, and four steals in 32 minutes against the Bulls.Butler played well in big minutes for a trade-depleted Pistons squad. The Pistons traded away Kyle Singler and DJ Augustin, who saw a combined 48 minutes per game, and their replacements did not arrive in time for Friday's game. Once new arrivals Reggie Jackson and Tayshaun Prince are incorporated into the rotation, Butler's minutes are likely to return to near their pre-All-Star break level.

Butler (back) will start Friday's game against the Bulls, MLive.com's David Mayo reports.With Kyle Singler and D.J. Augustin shipped out of town, Butler and Spencer Dinwiddie will join the starting lineup. Reinforcements are on the way from Oklahoma City and Boston, so Butler may not stick in the starting lineup beyond Friday.

Butler (back) will not play Wednesday against the Spurs, Dave Pemberton of the Oakland Press reports.Butler will miss a second straight game due to back spasms, which began following Sunday's game against the Timberwolves. He'll use the All-Star break to rest and will presumably be good to go when the Pistons resume play Feb. 20 versus Chicago.

Butler (back) has been ruled out for Tuesday's game, the Charlotte Observer's Rick Bonnell reports.While Butler has been playing almost 20 minutes per game of late, his production has been lacking across the board. Look for Jodie Meeks, Kyle Singler and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope to all see a minor bump in minutes Tuesday.

Butler (back) is listed as doubtful for Tuesday's matchup with the Hornets, David Mayo of MLive Media reports.Butler is battling with back spasms, which flared up following Sunday's loss to the Timberwolves. His status could change throughout the day, but at this point it appears unlikely he takes the floor. Butler's production has hit a lull of late, as he's scored in double-figures just twice since mid-December.

Butler (hamstring) came off the bench for 20 minutes against the Pelicans on Wednesday as he recorded five points, two rebounds, and one assist. Butler was dealing with a tight hamstring ahead of Wednesday's game but it apparently didn't hold him back as he played his normal role off the bench against the Pelicans. Looking ahead, the hamstring issue seems to be behind the 34-year-old as he'll continue to be a humdrum option in everything but the deepest of leagues.

Butler is not expected to be limited Wednesday against the Pelicans. A tight hamstring kept Butler out of the second half of Monday's win over Toronto, but coach Stan Van Gundy said the veteran should be good to go Wednesday. Butler is averaging 4.4 points and 1.7 rebounds in 16.7 minutes per game this month.

Butler scored 20 points (5-11 FG, 3-5 3Pt, 7-7 FT) to go along with six rebounds and one assist in 27 minutes Monday against the Magic. Butler played very well Monday, but this game is clearly more of an aberration than the norm as he entered Monday with 18 points combined over his previous four games. Don't expect Butler to be a major offensive force this season.

Butler scored a team-high 24 points (10-14 FG, 4-7 3Pt) with eight boards in 31 minutes in the loss to Minnesota on Thursday. Butler was the lone Piston who hit more than half of his field goal attempts. The 34-year-old forward played 23 scoreless in minutes in the opener against the Nuggets. His big point production against the Timberwolves was likely a one-game anomaly.