Heat's Doleac sidelined with right ankle injury

MIAMI — The Miami Heat may be without its backup center, former University of Utah big man Michael Doleac, for up to three weeks because of a strained right ankle.

Doleac's availability for the Heat's season-opener Oct. 31 against Chicago is unknown. He was injured Saturday night in Miami's 91-81 exhibition loss to Atlanta. X-rays were negative, Doleac said.

"I kept running on it and it kept hurting worse and hurting worse and it kept throbbing," Doleac said. "I thought I'd just tie my braces up tighter and go back in."

Doleac averaged 3.2 points in 31 games, including three starts, for the Heat last season.

KNICKS' JEFFRIES BREAKS WRIST: Jared Jeffries, expected to be the Knicks' starting small forward, could miss the beginning of the regular season because of a broken left wrist.

Jeffries was hurt Friday night against New Jersey in his Knicks debut and didn't play Saturday night at Philadelphia. He had an MRI exam Sunday, which revealed a non-displaced fractured left wrist.

Coach Isiah Thomas said Monday during a conference call that Jeffries could be sidelined three to six weeks, though the Knicks said they would have a better idea Tuesday.

Jeffries signed with the Knicks over the summer after spending his first four seasons with the Washington Wizards.

NETS' HOUSE HAS SURGERY: Nets guard Eddie House had arthroscopic knee surgery Monday, and the team said there is no timetable for his return.

Doctors removed torn cartilage from his left knee at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York. Rehab will begin immediately.

House, a six-year veteran, signed as a free agent Aug. 17. He averaged a career-high 9.8 points for Phoenix last season.