The Heat placed point guard Anthony Carter on the injured list before Friday's game, and coach Pat Riley said Carter probably should undergo surgery to correct a lingering lower abdominal strain.

Carter was told he could return as early as two weeks after surgery. But Carter said he would speak with his agent and mother before deciding.

``My feeling is to get it done and correct it instead of spending two or three weeks trying to get it right like he did the last time, and then having it go out on him again,'' Riley said.

Even if he decided against surgery, the earliest Carter would be eligible to return is Dec. 31 at Indiana.

The injury, which was reaggravated recently, forced Carter to miss six games last season and all seven preseason games in October. Carter said the injury ``keeps him from going 100 percent. It's when I make certain moves when I really feel it.''

Although Riley said Carter ``has been playing in pain for a month.'' Carter said he wasn't bothered by the injury until very recently.

The Heat activated power forward Malik Allen to take Carter's roster spot.

With his impressive start, swingman Jim Jackson has become a salary-cap catch-22 for the Heat.
If Jackson continues to average in the 15-points-per-game range, Miami might have to use part of its $4.5 million cap exception to re-sign him next summer.

The Heat will be over the salary cap next year, unless key players are dealt for players with expiring contracts. Because Jackson is in his first year with the Heat, Miami cannot exceed the salary cap to re-sign him.

Unless the Heat gives Jackson its exception, the most Miami could offer him next season would be $1.15 million. Jackson signed Dec. 2 for $965,000, prorated.

The Heat cannot trade Jackson this season. League rules prohibit players from being traded until three months after signing. The trade deadline is Feb. 21.

The Heat also will have a $1.3 million exception next summer, but that might not be enough to keep Jackson unless his play levels off.