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UCLA basketball: Bruins should be close to full strength for opener

Los Angeles Times staff writer Ben Bolch
By Ben Bolch
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UCLA sophomore forward Reeves Nelson, who sat out the Bruins’ exhibition game against Cal State Los Angeles because of a strained right hip flexor, returned to practice Thursday and is expected to play in the season opener Friday at Pauley Pavilion against Cal State Northridge.

Freshman guard Matt Carlino, recovering from a concussion sustained earlier in the week, participated in limited drills, and his status will be a game-time decision.

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Junior guard Lazeric Jones received two stitches in his mouth after being inadvertently struck in the face during practice. He is expected to play against the Matadors.

-- Ben Bolch

Sports Now
Ben Bolch

Ben Bolch has been a Los Angeles Times staff writer since 1999. He is serving his second stint as the UCLA beat writer, which seems fitting since he has covered almost every sports beat except hockey and horse racing. Bolch is also the author of the recently released book “100 Things UCLA Fans Should Know & Do Before They Die.” He previously covered UCLA basketball from 2010-11 before going on to cover the NBA and the Clippers for five years. He happily traded in gobs of hotel points and airline miles to return to cover UCLA basketball and football in the summer of 2016. Bolch was once selected by NBA TV’s “The Starters” as the “Worst of the Week” after questioning their celebrity journalism-style questions at an NBA All-Star game and considers it one of his finer moments.

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