Nets coach Byron Scott will guide the East team in the Feb. 10 NBA All-Star Game. But having never done so before, he's looking for a little advice. He plans to ask Pat Riley for some when the Nets and Heat meet today.

``I'm going to ask him, `What do I do with these guys?' '' Scott said Friday. `` `What did you do all those years when you coached the All-Star Game,' because I have no clue. I am just like a puppet.''

The coach of the team with the best record in the Eastern Conference through Sunday is chosen to coach the All-Star squad. The Nets' win over Houston on Thursday, coupled with the Bucks' loss to Seattle, clinched the honor for Scott over Milwaukee's George Karl.

Riley can relate to Scott's anxiety. He still recalls his first go-round as coach of the Western Conference All-Stars while coaching the Lakers in 1982.

``I was so scared,'' Riley said. ``I brought in 30 pages of plays. I think the East team was practicing before ours, and [Celtics coach] Bill Fitch had them scrimmaging up and down the court with Larry Bird and all the guys. So I said, `I better change my practice.' We went to these full-scale practices, and [the players] all looked at me like I was foolish. I think Byron will understand, just let them play. The event has actually transcended the game.''

As for the games that count, the Nets (29-13) have been winning them more frequently than any team in the East. Much of the credit should be given to Scott, Riley said.

``To watch him develop over the years from a player to an assistant coach to a head coach to a winning coach, an All-Star coach, it makes me feel great,'' Riley said.

``He's a damn good one. He knows how to relate to players, he's got a philosophy and he's winning almost every night.

``His teams are very disciplined so he's doing a good job.''


NEW GAME TIME

Today's game tips off at 12:30 p.m., although it was originally scheduled for 3 p.m., the time reflected on tickets that were distributed earlier in the season.