With the city struggling to regain its footing after the massive power failure, the exhibition basketball game between the national teams of the United States and Puerto Rico scheduled for last night at Madison Square Garden was postponed.

The game was rescheduled for tomorrow at the Garden, beginning at 12 noon EDT.

"We're fortunate that the Garden had the open date," Terry Lyons, a spokesman for the National Basketball Association, said yesterday. "Something like this, you've just got to make it work. It's that simple."

The U.S. team, stocked primarily with some of the top talent in the NBA, will begin play next week at the Americas men's Olympic qualifying tournament in San Juan. The U.S. team's first game is scheduled for Wednesday against Brazil.

Canada, which is also competing in the 10-country event, at which the top three teams will gain entry into the Athens Olympics next year, is scheduled to begin play on Thursday against Puerto Rico.

Tomorrow's exhibition tune-up against Puerto Rico is the only one scheduled for the U.S. team before it heads to San Juan on Monday.

One player itching to see some competitive action is Vince Carter, the Toronto Raptors star guard and the final player selected to the U.S. roster.