Mike Miller isn't a doctor and he doesn't even play one on TV, but the Timberwolves' shooting guard is becoming something of an expert on sprained right ankles.
So when he says the injury he suffered in Saturday night's 109-102 loss to Houston is similar to the one that cost him four games earlier this month, it's close to an official prognosis. "Hopefully, it won't be long," Miller said Monday. "Hopefully, it will be a game or two and we'll be ready to go."
Miller won't play in tonight's game at San Antonio, and is expected to miss Friday's at New York as well, but he said he didn't feel like he came back too quickly from his first injury.
"I was good enough to play," he said. "That's all that matters. The unfortunate thing is I just started feeling good. That's what hurts more than anything."
Coach Kevin McHale said he would wait until today to decide who starts in place of Miller, but Kevin Ollie worked with the first team at point guard during Monday's practice, with Randy Foye moving to Miller's two spot.
Ollie started three games earlier this season under former coach Randy Wittman and has seen his minutes increase recently.
"Kevin's played well when he's been out there," McHale said, "so you reward the guys who are playing well."
Said Ollie: "It's definitely a good opportunity for me right now. I hope I continue to go out there and play well, but first and foremost I want to get some wins."
No one-man show: Spurs point guard Tony Parker has been a big thorn in the Wolves' side this season, scoring a career-high 55 points in the teams' first meeting and getting 16 of his 17 points in the fourth quarter of the rematch.
Containing him might be Job 1 for Minnesota, but San Antonio has a couple of other big-time scoring threats in Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili.
"What hurt us the last game was (Matt) Bonner and (Michael Finley)," McHale said. "They were very effective."
Bonner and Finley scored 12 points apiece in a 98-86 victory; both hit a pair of three-pointers.
On the clock: McHale had a long talk after practice with Miller and rookie Kevin Love, who played a season-low seven minutes against the Rockets.
Asked if that was a one-game thing, McHale indicated it wouldn't be long term, at least. "I think Kevin will get back in there and play his normal minutes," he said.
Love had 14 points and nine rebounds in the first game against the Spurs and four points and 10 rebounds in the second.
Home for the holidays: The Wolves have to fly to New York on Christmas Day, but Ollie isn't complaining.
"It worked out perfect for us," he said. "We're in New York and I'm from Connecticut, so God is good and hopefully I can spend Christmas with (the family) if weather permits."
