Top to Bottom : CAPSULES AND RANKINGS

*--*

Team (Record) Comment 1. Chicago (20-3) A funny thing happened on way to new record 2. Houston (20-2) Still rolling 3. Utah (18-3) Getting real: now on only 70-victory pace 4. Lakers (18-7) Shaq: 24 blocks in last five games 5. Seattle (16-9) George Karl: ticking? 6. Miami (18-5) Eye-opener: win at Chicago 7. Detroit (16-4) Latest big test: lose by 19 at Houston 8. New York (15-6) Latest soap opera: Ewing vs. fans 9. Atlanta (13-8) Five road victories, one home loss 10. Cleveland (14-8) Went 2-3; maybe they’re boring themselves 11. Milwaukee (12-9) Baker, Big Dog outgun Fab Two, 80-38 12. Orlando (9-10) 5-8 without Penny and he’s out again 13. Portland (13-10) Rider benched twice for missing drills 14. Charlotte (12-10) Go figure: they’re decent 15. Indiana (9-11) Rally fizzles 16. Washington (9-11) Fab Two must miss Jalen, Jimmy, Ray 17. Phoenix (6-15) Eye-opener, win at Utah 18. Dallas (8-13) Best Maverick? No question: 6th man Gatling 19. Philadelphia (7-15) Iverson six for 34 vs. Payton, Hardaway 20. Minnesota (8-15) 0-5 since Garnett was out 21. Toronto (7-15) Stoudamire 11 for 37 vs. Celtics 22. Clippers (9-14) One player away, but it’s a good player 23. Sacramento (8-15) 2-2 with Edney back at point 24. Golden State (8-15) Knick frontline outrebounds theirs,41-24. 25. New Jersey (5-13) Eye-opener, beat Sonics 26. Denver (5-19) Motta (1-9) lags in coach-of-year race 27. Boston (5-15) M.L. lags in coach, executive races 28. San Antonio (4-17) Now they’re 0-2 with Admiral 29. Vancouver (4-19) 29th offense, 23rd defense. Otherwise...

*--*

GAME OF THE WEEK

LAKERS AT CHICAGO

* When: Tuesday. Time: 5 p.m. TV-Ch. 9, TNT.

* Storyline--Here’s a reality check for the Lakers, who have been settling in around Shaquille O’Neal, and the Bulls, who fell out last week. Eddie Jones gets the blindfold, the last cigarette and the assignment of guarding Jordan. Rodman will be back barring a new crisis. In other words, bad time to play here.