The Los Angeles Lakers are hoping the return of veteran point guard Steve Nash will be just what the doctor ordered after a bumpy start to the season.

Nash, who was acquired by the Lakers this offseason, will return to action against the Golden State Warriors tonight.  Oddsmakers opened the Lakers as 1-point road underdogs but the line has swung to Los Angeles -1.5.

Nash was targeting a Christmas Day return and told the media that he didn't expect to play Saturday. However, a source told ESPN that Nash will suit up at Golden State.

Nash has been sidelined since the second game of the season with a small fracture in his fibula. In that time, Los Angeles has gone 12-12 SU and 10-15-1 ATS. In his limited action for the Lakers, the two-time MVP averaged 4.5 points and four assists in just over 50 total minutes. Compounding the injury was the loss of backup PG Steven Blake, who is sidelined with a torn abdominal muscle until mid January.

Los Angeles takes a three-game winning streak into Saturday’s road game against Golden State. The Lakers are 1-1-1 ATS in those contests.