BAMAPHIN 22
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New Jersey forward Richard Jefferson is listed as doubtful for Wednesday's Game 2 of the Nets' Eastern Conference semifinal series with the Miami Heat because of a bone bruise in his right ankle.
An MRI exam was performed on Jefferson's ankle Tuesday, and was negative - as was an X-ray taken shortly after he was injured during the third quarter of New Jersey's 100-88 win in the series opener Monday night.
With Jefferson, the Nets cruised to a huge lead in Game 1 over the Heat. Without him, what was a 28-point margin was whittled to nine by Miami in the final minutes.
``Just a sprained ankle,'' Jefferson said. ``It's feeling better. No swelling, more just like a bruise. There's still tenderness but every few hours, it feels like it gets better.''
Jefferson walked into the arena Tuesday without crutches, but with a walking boot. He did not participate in the team's off-day practice, yet has not been formally ruled out for Game 2.
``We'll see where Richard's at tomorrow,'' Nets coach Lawrence Frank said before practice. ``He's not out. Regardless, we have a lot of faith in the guys in our locker room. You only take the court for one reason, and that reason is to win the game, regardless of who you have out there.''
http://channels.netscape.com/sports/story.jsp?flok=FF-APO-2030&idq=/ff/story/0001%2F20060509%2F1402501096.htm&sc=2030
An MRI exam was performed on Jefferson's ankle Tuesday, and was negative - as was an X-ray taken shortly after he was injured during the third quarter of New Jersey's 100-88 win in the series opener Monday night.
With Jefferson, the Nets cruised to a huge lead in Game 1 over the Heat. Without him, what was a 28-point margin was whittled to nine by Miami in the final minutes.
``Just a sprained ankle,'' Jefferson said. ``It's feeling better. No swelling, more just like a bruise. There's still tenderness but every few hours, it feels like it gets better.''
Jefferson walked into the arena Tuesday without crutches, but with a walking boot. He did not participate in the team's off-day practice, yet has not been formally ruled out for Game 2.
``We'll see where Richard's at tomorrow,'' Nets coach Lawrence Frank said before practice. ``He's not out. Regardless, we have a lot of faith in the guys in our locker room. You only take the court for one reason, and that reason is to win the game, regardless of who you have out there.''
http://channels.netscape.com/sports/story.jsp?flok=FF-APO-2030&idq=/ff/story/0001%2F20060509%2F1402501096.htm&sc=2030
