70 DEGREES AND SUNNY
1. OKLAHOMA CITY (28-8) These are strange days indeed when Thunder’s biggest worry is the Clippers. (1)
2. CLIPPERS (28-9) Jim Valvano smiles in heaven at thought of Vinny Del Negro as All-Star coach is a remarkable possibility. (3)
3. SAN ANTONIO (28-11) Best old, slow Lakers can hope for is playoff matchup with old, slow Spurs. (2)
4. MIAMI (24-11) If this keeps up, ESPN’s Heat Index could be renamed the Big Chill. (4)
PLEASANT WITH A FEW CIRRUS CLOUDS
5. NEW YORK (23-13) Streets of Manhattan getting safer until Carmelo Anthony steps outside. (5)
6. GOLDEN STATE (23-12) Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson mull plan to open a bar called Shooters. (6)
7. MEMPHIS (24-11) All-Star game could be devoid of a Gasol brother for first time since 2008. (7)
8. INDIANA (23-14) Win over Miami one for the books and a sorry chapter for the Heat. (9)
9. ATLANTA (21-15) Point guard is no longer an issue with Devin Harris back. (8)
A PASSING SHOWER NEVER HURT ANYONE
10. CHICAGO (20-15) Uh-oh. Edie Falco checks out Derrick Rose’s knee in New York. (10)
11. HOUSTON (21-17) James Harden, Jeremy Lin would like to stay home for All-Star weekend. (11)
12. DENVER (22-16) Sloppy success: Nuggets are 9-0 when committing at least 20 turnovers. (13)
13. BROOKLYN (21-15) P.J. Carlesimo set to join Bernie Bickerstaff in Interim Coach Hall of Fame. (12)
14. PORTLAND (20-16) Owner Paul Allen’s new book: “How to Spend Less and Beat the Lakers.” (18)
15. BOSTON (19-17) Season is such a downer, Celtics are getting a beat writer from L.A. (19)
CHANCES OF DRAFT LOTTERY: 95%
16. MILWAUKEE (18-17) Phil Jackson probably isn’t headed here either. (14)
17. UTAH (20-19) Plans likely involve moving one of team’s bigs before the trading deadline. (16)
18. MINNESOTA (16-17) Kevin Love continues to have a hand in Timberwolves’ misfortune. (15)
19. LAKERS (15-21) Wasted money: Courtside seats at Staples Center still $2,700 per game. (17)
20. PHILADELPHIA (16-22) 76ers’ fortunes head south even when team travels to Toronto. (20)
21. TORONTO (14-22) Success prompts border patrol to let other teams enter besides Bobcats. (24)
22. DALLAS (15-23) If this season doesn’t render Mark Cuban speechless, nothing will. (21)
23. ORLANDO (13-23) Maybe Magic traded Dwight Howard to open spot for Nikola Vucevic. (22)
24. DETROIT (14-24) Beat Miami. Beat Atlanta. Lose to Charlotte. Which doesn’t fit pattern? (26)
25. SACRAMENTO (13-24) Fishy club could be headed for more hospitable home near Puget Sound. (25)
26. NEW ORLEANS (11-25) It really doesn’t get any better than this: Four straight wins are season high. (28)
27. PHOENIX (13-26) That first-round draft pick acquired from Lakers keeps increasing in value. (23)
28. CHARLOTTE (9-27) Might hold its own against All-Star team of Tobacco Road college players. (27)
29. CLEVELAND (9-29) On bright side, it can pencil in another win over the Lakers on Sunday. (29)
THE PERFECT STORM
30. WASHINGTON (6-28) John Wall sees standings, asks doctor to keep him out three more months. (30)
