Ailing 76ers’ Snow: ‘I’m Going to Play’

The Philadelphia 76ers, who haven’t played since eliminating Charlotte on Monday in four games of their first-round Eastern Conference series, are anticipating having Eric Snow back at point guard for today’s game against the Indiana Pacers in Indianapolis.

Snow missed the last two games against Charlotte because of a chip fracture in his right ankle.

“I’m going to play. I’m planning on starting,” he said. “I plan to stay out there unless I feel I’m hurting myself, or the team.”

Snow was having the ankle treated Friday as the 76ers began practicing in Conseco Fieldhouse.

“We’re just going to have to see,” Coach Larry Brown said. “I’d rather he take some more time to heal, although that won’t help our team. We can use him out there.”

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Thanks to rapid improvement this week in his sprained left foot, Tim Hardaway said he expects to play 30 to 40 minutes Sunday in Game 1 of the Heat’s playoff series against the New York Knicks.

“I will be playing on Sunday,” Hardaway said, “and it feels good.”

Miami Coach Pat Riley hedged on whether Hardaway will start.

“He’s looking better every day,” Riley said. “Tim is working hard to get back. It’s a shame he’s not at 110%, but every day he’s gaining.”

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Rookie guard Rodney Buford’s third marijuana-related offense in the past year left his status with the Heat in doubt.

News of Buford’s arrest last weekend on a misdemeanor charge of marijuana possession surfaced Friday. The NBA’s collective bargaining agreement mandates that any drug-related issue be handled by the league, and Buford is at no risk of being suspended as long as his case is pending.