-- Celtics backup guard Marquis Daniels, who has not played since Dec. 4, hopes to return to action on Sunday versus Orlando.

Daniels went through his first practice with the Celtics today and said afterwards: "Hopefully I can get one more good practice in and hopefully I can [play] Sunday."

Daniels said that Boston's offense has evolved since he last played, and he is in the process of learning all of the new plays.

"They put a couple more sets in but for the most part it's pretty much the same thing," Daniels said. "I just have to learn two positions. I have to know the point guard, the two and the three."

When asked how it was to be back at practice, Daniels said: "It was very exciting. It felt like the first day of school. I'm just ready to get back out there and play and be a part of this team."

Boston coach Doc Rivers said: "It's good to get him on the floor, No. 1, and it will be great to get him back in the flow.playing. It will help a lot of things. It will help some of the guys get rest so it will be good to get him back."

Rivers said that Daniels needs to get his timing back.

"When you miss the amount of games that he's missed, you can run, you can do all of that stuff, but the timing of the game is completely different...He has to remember the stuff again too. He has to be re-taught all of the stuff all over again so it's tough," said Rivers.