Rebraca to Have Procedure

Clipper backup center Zeljko Rebraca, sidelined since being diagnosed with an irregular heartbeat nearly a week ago, is scheduled for a noninvasive procedure to correct the problem Wednesday in Ann Arbor, Mich.

The Clippers said that Rebraca, who underwent the same procedure in August 2003, would be sidelined for a month.

But his agent, Bill Duffy, said Rebraca, 33, could resume playing as early as next week and Rebraca told teammates that he would be playing again in two weeks.

“We’re optimistic and confident,” Duffy said. “We’re being very aggressive. We have some history and intelligence in this [area] based on experience, so we’re very confident in the steps that we’re taking.”

Dr. Fred Morady, a professor at the University of Michigan cardiology center who specializes in treating arrhythmias, was scheduled to perform the procedure, as he did two years ago when Rebraca played for the Detroit Pistons.

Rebraca checked out fine physically before the Clippers signed the then-free agent in August 2004, the club said, and played in 58 games last season, averaging 5.8 points, 3.2 rebounds and 16.0 minutes.

The 7-footer averaged 4.6 points and 2.4 rebounds through 11 games this season but felt his heart racing in the Clippers’ 103-100 victory over the Toronto Raptors on Nov. 23.

Hospitalized overnight, he was released when his arrhythmia subsided.

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Shaun Livingston, sidelined through the first month of the season because of a lower-back stress reaction, is scheduled for an MRI exam Thursday.

If all is well, Livingston could be cleared to begin practicing at that time, Coach Mike Dunleavy said.

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TONIGHT

at Minnesota, 5, FSNW2

Site -- Target Center, Minneapolis.

Radio -- 1150.

Records -- Clippers 9-4, Timberwolves 7-5.

Record vs. Timberwolves -- 1-1.

Update -- The Timberwolves’ 6-1 record in Target Center includes a 93-78 victory over the Clippers on Nov. 7.