Miller Is Uncertain for U.S. Opener

INDIANAPOLIS â€”  Reggie Miller’s heart is telling him to do something his head--and sprained right ankle--are still telling him not to even consider.

Miller said the injured ankle felt better on Wednesday than it did the day before, but he still wasn’t sure whether he would play in the opening round of the World Championships today.

He knows what he wants to do, though.

“To miss a game is not in my character. I’m sure it’s going to be tough [today],� Miller said. “But knowing how stubborn and hardheaded I am, I’m probably going to push it and be ready for Friday’s game. Even though I know I shouldn’t be playing, I probably will.�

The United States, the heavy favorite in the 16-team tournament, will play Algeria today. The next two games will be against Germany on Friday night, and China on Saturday night. The United States beat both of those teams handily in a pair of exhibition games last week.

It was during the 91-73 victory over Germany on Sunday that Miller injured his ankle.

“Obviously, as more time goes by, the better I’m going to feel,� he said. “If this was a playoff game, I’m sure I’d push myself.�

He said he would see how his ankle felt after a shoot-around in the morning.

“Obviously, I won’t be 100%,� said the 37-year-old Indiana Pacer guard, the oldest player on the U.S. team.

U.S. Coach George Karl said he still had not settled on a starting lineup.

“I’m pretty close, but I’d rather wait until [today],� Karl said.

Whoever plays, Karl said, will be prepared.

“The thing that the NBA does probably as well as anybody in the world is prepare. You play 82 games and you have to be an expert on how to prepare for every game and get it scouted and get the film work done,� said Karl, who coaches the Milwaukee Bucks.

“I have my film guy down here ... so we’ll be very prepared for whoever we play in the quarterfinals, semifinals, finals.�