LeBron James, Dwyane Wade

Miami's LeBron James, left, and Dwyane Wade enjoy the final minutes of the Heat's 114-90 over Philadelphia on Saturday from the bench. (Michael Perez / Associated Press / February 23, 2013)

THE LAST EMPEROR


1. MIAMI (39-14) Not sure how Heat expects to win another title without Dexter Pittman. (1)

2. SAN ANTONIO (44-13) Prop bet that Baynes would outscore Paul renders Las Vegas bust. (3)

3. OKLAHOMA CITY (40-15) Paying luxury taxes might have been less costly than trading James Harden. (2)

4. CLIPPERS (40-18) Half-court shot-maker Hagop Blikian saves sorry showing at Staples Center. (4)

AMERICAN BEAUTY

5. MEMPHIS (36-18) Grizzlies’ surge otherwise known as the We’re Not Dead Yet Tour 2013. (7)

6. DENVER (35-22) George Karl playing Obi-Wan Kenobi to Danilo Gallinari’s Luke Skywalker. (6)

7. NEW YORK (32-20) Newcomer Kenyon Martin saving season would be a miracle on 33rd Street. (5)

8. INDIANA (35-21) Pacers may be ready for prime time except for ratings they would generate. (8)

9. GOLDEN STATE (32-23) The short sleeves are on, but the gloves come off in taut victory over Spurs. (9)

10. BROOKLYN (33-23) Imagine fallout in L.A. in July if Nets land Dwight Howard and Phil Jackson. (11)

11. CHICAGO (32-23) Reggie Rose’s input valued here about as much as that of Jerry Krause. (10)

12. UTAH (31-25) Al Green’s “Let’s Stay Together” becomes top song on Jazz playlist. (13)

ORDINARY PEOPLE

13. ATLANTA (31-23) Smith has to shoo away bevy of Bekins drivers lingering outside house. (12)

14. HOUSTON (31-27) Thomas Robinson getting a do-over only 51 games into his NBA career. (16)

15. BOSTON (29-26) Auerbach hands Buss a victory cigar in heaven for a job well done. (14)

16. MILWAUKEE (26-28) There weren’t many shots to go around even before J.J. Redick arrived. (15)