Raptors rookie Charlie Villanueva believes there is something special developing between Chris Bosh and himself on the court.

"We're like Tim Duncan and David Robinson," Villanueva said, following the team's morning shootaround at the America West Arena. "But a younger version. I really feel that."

Phoenix Suns guard Leandro Barbosa could miss up to three weeks with an injury to his left knee.

Barbosa has a Grade 2 sprain of the medial collateral ligament but could return in one to three weeks, the Arizona Republic reported.

But while the diagnosis received a sigh of relief from the team, it offered little solace for Barbosa who believes the injury could have been avoided.

He was injured Saturday when Spurs guard Manu Ginobili fell into him. He did return to play in the second half of that game.

"Ginobili always likes to flop," Barbosa told The Arizona Republic. "Nobody even touched him.

"He just flopped. That's why I feel sad to hurt myself like that," he added. "I wish I could have hurt myself in another way."

The Spurs pared their roster, waiving rookie guard Melvin Sanders after Saturday night's 97-91 victory over Phoenix.

Sanders appeared in five games, averaging 2.2 points in 11.6 minutes. The Spurs signed him Nov.9 after Michael Finley and Brent Barry went down with injuries.

Sanders' defense helped the short-handed Spurs, but it became evident his days were numbered when rookie guard Alex Scales joined the team Thursday.

Michael Finley said he hopes to play tonight against Phoenix.

Finley has missed the past five games with a groin strain. He said he felt good after playing some four-on-four and one-on-one Friday.

"We'll see how I respond in the morning," Finley said. "You learn a lot from sitting on the side, but I'd rather be out there with the guys, get banged up a little bit and just learn to play with my new teammates.

"It's still new to me, so I need to be out there."

Michael Finley and Brent Barry missed their fourth consecutive game Tuesday.

There's a chance both players could practice today, though coach Gregg Popovich sounded uncertain as to when they might play in a game. Barry received a cortisone injection Monday to reduce the inflammation in his back and Finley also says he's feeling better.

"If they can get through practice, then they would be available Thursday," Popovich said. "But I'm not expecting that."

San Antonio guards Michael Finley and Brent Barry both missed the Spurs' game against the Charlotte Bobcats on Wednesday night with injuries. Finley was placed on the inactive list before the game with tightness in his groin and Barry had lower-back spasms.

The Spurs also activated forward Sean Marks and signed guard Melvin Sanders, who had been with the team in training camp.

Spurs guard Brent Barry underwent an MRI on his back Tuesday afternoon and is expected to miss at least a week.

The Spurs were still waiting for their own medical staff to evaluate the test results before making a more definitive diagnosis. But coach Gregg Popovich thinks Barry will need to sit out at least the next three games even under a best-case scenario.

Barry felt some tightness in his back Saturday against Dallas and the injury worsened when he bent backward after jumping for a rebound in the second quarter of Monday's victory in Chicago. He left the game and spent the rest of the evening in the locker room.

Barry felt better after the game and the doctor who examined him in Chicago doesn't think he has a disk problem. The Spurs took him for an MRI Tuesday to make sure.

San Antonio backup center Nazr Mohammed, a Chicago native, will be a free agent next summer and the Bulls obviously need more big men.

Asked about the possibility of returning home, Mohammed pointed out that first he wants to win another championship with the Spurs. San Antonio does have Tim Duncan, Rasho Nesterovic and Fabricio Obertro already under contract, so their desire to keep Mohammed remains to be seen.

?First and foremost, I want to stay here in San Antonio,? Mohammed said. ?At the same time, I want to go out there and see what?s my market value and take it from there.?

The 6-foot-10 Mohammed, 28, probably is best suited to being a backup player. He has averaged 7.3 points and 5.7 rebounds for four different teams.

?It wouldn?t be hard at all (to play in Chicago),? he said. ?It?s home. It would have been hard to come here and play fresh in the league, not knowing what the league?s about. This is my eighth season. I?m pretty much stable in my life and things like that. So I can handle playing anywhere.?

Spurs guard Brent Barry underwent an MRI on his back Tuesday afternoon and is expected to miss at least a week.

The Spurs were still waiting for their own medical staff to evaluate the test results before making a more definitive diagnosis. But coach Gregg Popovich thinks Barry will need to sit out at least the next three games even under a best-case scenario.

Barry felt some tightness in his back Saturday against Dallas and the injury worsened when he bent backward after jumping for a rebound in the second quarter of Monday's victory in Chicago. He left the game and spent the rest of the evening in the locker room.

Barry felt better after the game and the doctor who examined him in Chicago doesn't think he has a disk problem. The Spurs took him for an MRI Tuesday to make sure.