Andre Miller is a talented point guard. He also is a realist.

Asked his chances of being named today to the Eastern Conference All-Star team as a reserve, Miller said, "Slim. Pretty slim."

The primary reason: Miller's team has won 13 and lost 30. The record appears even uglier because the Cavs are mired in a 12-game losing streak.

"Guys who are making those kind of [All-Star] teams are on winners," Miller said. "If we were winning, I'd have a pretty good chance."

Eastern Conference coaches submitted ballots yesterday for two guards, two forwards, one center and two at-large selections. Cavs coach John Lucas worked the phones to lobby for Miller, who is averaging 16.0 points and leads the NBA with 10.2 assists.

"I'm going to try to call in some favors," Lucas said.

Miller will need to overcome a traffic jam. Among the candidates for guard spots in the East are Jason Kidd of New Jersey, Tracy McGrady of Orlando, Jerry Stackhouse of Detroit, Ray Allen of Milwaukee and Paul Pierce of Boston.

"I think Andre has a legitimate shot," Lucas said. "If we had a few more wins, I think he'd have a real legitimate shot."

Saturday against Boston, Miller had 25 points, 17 assists and 10 rebounds. It was his third career triple-double.

Scary moment:

Tyrone Hill, who has missed the entire season because of back trouble, crumpled to the floor during a scrimmage yesterday after a collision with Michael Doleac.

Hill writhed for several minutes, then left clutching his lower back. He later rejoined drills.

"I was real worried at first, because I hadn't had a hit like that in a while. . . . I'm just going to have to play through it at this point."

Hill said he hopes to be activated by mid-February.

Put me in, coach:

The shooting star of practice was Cavs associate coach Chuck Person, who knocked down long-range jumpers from everywhere. "Chuck was the poor man's Lamond Murray out there," Lucas said. "He's hollering 10-day [contract]."

Flipped out:

Timberwolves coach Flip Saunders, in his seventh season, has not fared well against his hometown team. Saunders, who grew up in Cuyahoga Heights and was an All-American basketball player in high school, is 4-6 against the Cavs (258-225 vs. rest of league).