PHILADELPHIA -- In George Lynch's mind, it's official. He'll be in uniform for the Philadelphia 76ers for Game 4 of the NBA Finals.

	Tired McKie
	Philadelphia 76ers guard Aaron McKie went to see Sixers team doctor Brad Fenton on Monday. Fenton took blood samples to see if McKie needed extra electrolytes because he's been feeling fatigued. The Sixers say they expect the results of the blood work on Tuesday.

"I think the decision is already made," the Sixers' starting small forward said at Monday's practice at the First Union Spectrum. "I'm going to try and play Wednesday."

	Lynch

Lynch, who has not played since Game 4 of the Eastern Conference semifinals against Toronto, has been busy rehabilitating his surgically-repaired left foot from a broken metatarsal bone. Last week, the 6-foot-8, 228-pounder couldn't make a layup without feeling pain. But now that he's able to run again, Lynch feels it's time to return, especially with the Lakers leading the best-of-seven series 2-1.

"I think I can do enough to help the team even if I'm playing only one or two minutes to spare guys minutes," he said.

Sixers coach Larry Brown said that's all Lynch will be allowed to do if he gets to play. Brown said no decision will made until Lynch practices Tuesday and takes part in Wednesday's shootaround. If Lynch receives medical clearance, he'll come off the bench to replace Tyrone Hill or Jumaine Jones, who's taken Lynch's spot in the starting lineup.

"I don't anticipate him playing a lot, but we're going to talk to the doctors," Brown said. "I think they're going to X-ray his leg today to see how it is. But he wants to play. He wanted to play last night."

Sixers owner Pat Croce, a former trainer, was adamant about making sure Lynch was OK. "We're not going to let him jeopardize his career no matter how noble it is," Croce said.

Lynch was averaging 6.9 points and 5.8 rebounds in the playoffs before he sustained the break in the third quarter of Game 4 in the Eastern semis. Rookie Raja Bell, who has averaged 18 minutes as a reserve in the Finals in Lynch's absence, thinks Lynch's return is the kind of boost the Sixers need.

"I think George will be a big lift emotionally and physically," Bell said. "He's going to be another presence defensively and he's going to get some buckets we need. Emotionally, it's going to be a great thing for us to see him back out there."

"George is always a big lift because he's part of our team. He's a part of the nucleus we have," Hill said. "It's definitely a big plus for us."

Lynch's biggest concern is how his foot will limit him on defense. "The offense all year has been centered around Allen (Iverson), so I'm not coming in to change the game offensively," he said.

"I'm just trying to come in and help the guys rebound. I've got six fouls to give, too."