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SAN ANTONIO -- Tony Parker plans to play in Game 1 of the NBA Finals. The San Antonio Spurs open their rematch with the Miami Heat on Thursday, and their star point guard is nursing a balky left ankle. "Hes getting better every day, and I expect him to play," coach Gregg Popovich said Tuesday. Parker aggravated the injury Saturday, missing the second half of San Antonios series-clinching victory over Oklahoma City in the Western Conference finals. Parker didnt practice Tuesday, but said he expects to be back Wednesday. Parker is averaging a team-leading 17.2 points and 4.9 assists this post-season but has been bothered by injuries the past two rounds. "I always try to be honest with Pop," Parker said. "He knows, but if Im 50 per cent Ill try to play. If Im under 50 per cent, we can argue." Parker conceded the ankle has bothered him since San Antonios second-round series against Portland, although he did not divulge it at the time. "I dont like to talk about when Im hurt," he said. "I played on it for the whole series against Portland. Thats why I think my hamstring got hurt because I was playing on a bad ankle." Parker had tightness in his left hamstring midway through the second quarter of Game 5 against the Trail Blazers, forcing him to miss the rest of the Spurs series-clinching victory. He did not miss any of the Western Conference finals because of his hamstring. But he aggravated the ankle injury in Game 4 against Oklahoma City. "I twisted it again, but didnt say anything," Parker said. "Played on it, and then Game 6 I think my body is like, Thats enough. Its perfect timing to get five days and to get better and to be ready for Game 1." San Antonio was still able to clinch the series without Parker, holding off Oklahoma City for a 112-107 overtime victory to advance to its sixth finals appearance. Parker said he wanted to return for the second half, but was overruled by Popovich and the teams medical staff. "I wanted to play. I wanted to play," Parker said. "Pop was like, No, we never know for Game 7. So I understand where he was coming from, but it was hard to watch from the locker room. At the same time, I was very proud of my teammates. They stepped up big. It was huge for us because I think those five days (off) are big for us to prepare for the finals." Asked whether he would possibly hold Parker out if he was less than 50 per cent, Popovich smirked and alluded to the calf injury that was supposed to keep the Thunders Serge Ibaka out of the Western Conference finals -- but didnt. "Its too early -- hes either 50 per cent or out for the rest of the playoffs," Popovich said. "One of the two . I had to do it. Ill never do it again, I promise. 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This fight card, which takes place in Fort Campbell, Kentucky, has had a number of changes, including headliner Lyoto Machida replaced by fellow Brazilian Rafael Natal. http://www.cheapsteelers.com/95n-cheap-d...y-steelers.html. -- The Detroit Lions made it crystal clear to Golden Tate that he was their top target in free agency. <a href="http://www.cheapsteelers.com/">Authentic Pittsburgh Steelers Jerseys</a>. -- Navy football player Will McKamey, who has been hospitalized since collapsing at practice three days ago, has died while in a coma. <a href="http://www.cheapsteelers.com/135n-cheap-justin-layne-jersey-steelers.html">Pittsburgh Steelers Justin Layne Jersey</a>. -- A year ago, Flavia Pennetta was close to retiring from tennis.ORLANDO, Fla. - The Brooklyn Nets had to work hard to get back to .500.Mason Plumlee had 18 points and nine rebounds, and the Nets edged the Orlando Magic 100-98 on Friday night for their third straight victory.Brooklyn was outscored 37-14 in the fourth quarter and nearly squandered a 26-point second-half lead. Brook Lopez and Deron Williams scored 16 apiece as the Nets returned to .500 for the first time since they were 4-4 on Nov. 13.First three quarters were great for us, Williams said. We played well on both ends of the floor. We created a lot of easy opportunities, especially on offence. Defence was great. When youre down, youre kind of playing carefree. We looked like we were playing just to hang on instead of going ahead and closing out the game.The Magic (13-23) struggled shooting the ball most of the night, but played well down stretch. They got within two with 3.8 seconds to play on a 3-pointer by Elfrid Payton.But they werent able to foul again as Brooklyn successfully ran out the clock.Brooklyn had 22 turnovers, but outscored the Magic 50-42 in the paint.They just kept attacking us, Nets coach Lionel Hollins said. A couple of their guys got hot and started hitting 3s. ... But thats basketball, thats competition. I thought our guys showed a lot of poise at the end.Victor Oladipo led seven Orlando players in double figures with 17 points. Payton had 16 points, 10 assists and nine rebounds.The Magic lost their second straight game, and have dropped nine of their last 11 at home.Payton connected on 1 of 2 free throws with just over a minute to play to help the Magic close to 98-95.That was still the score when teammate Ben Gordon missed a jumper from the corner, leading to a scrum near the sideline.The Magic eventually ended up with possession after a replay review. But Orlando failed to capitalizze on the opportunity, with Evan Fournier missing a 3-pointer from the top of the key, giving the ball back to Brooklyn with 22.dddddddddddd6 remaining.Joe Johnson was then fouled and hit a pair of free throws to stretch the lead back to five.Maybe if we had a couple of more minutes, the game would have (gone) differently, said Gordon, who had 13 of his 14 points in the fourth quarter. We cant dig a hole for ourselves like that.The Nets went with the backcourt that has played a key role in their recent success, starting Jarrett Jack at point guard alongside Sergey Karasev for the seventh straight game.Except for some early turnovers, the combination had another successful night. Brooklyn was mostly able to do what it wanted on the offensive end, hovering above 60 per cent shooting for most of the game.TIP-INSNets: Brooklyn improved to 6-1 with Jack starting at point guard. ... Brooklyn shot 60 per cent in the first half, but committed 10 turnovers that led to 10 Magic points.Magic: Orlando dropped to 3-13 when its opponent scores 100 or more points. ... It was the first part of the Magics 10th back-to-back games of 2014-15. They have a total of 17 back-to-backs this season. ... Rookie F Devyn Marble was activated and played 20 1/2 minutes after a three-game assignment with the Erie BayHawks, Orlandos NBA Developmental League affiliate.OFF THE BENCHWilliams scored in double figures for the first time since Dec. 17, just a few games before Hollins shuffled the lineup. He was productive throughout the night, shooting 5 for 10 from the field and handing out a team-high seven assists.UP NEXTNets: Conclude a three-game road trip at Miami on Sunday.Magic: Host the Hornets on Saturday night to wrap up a three-game homestand.___Follow Kyle Hightower on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/khightower <a href="http://www.chinawholesalejerseysnfl.com/">Wholesale Jerseys</a> ' ' '