THE TIMES’ RANKINGS: TOP TO BOTTOM
Team (record): Comment (last week’s position)
1. Chicago (60-18): Bulls move game ahead of Jazz again for home-court advantage throughout playoffs. (1).
2. Utah (59-19): Support your local Mailman or else: Malone lays out Robinson, breaks Marshall’s rib. (3).
3. Seattle (58-20): Nothing wrong with 21-10 after break unless, of course, Jazz goes 27-4. (2).
4. Lakers (57-21): Something’s rotten in Denmark: Went 18-3 and got wiped out in every big game. (4).
5. Miami (54-24): Oops: Losses to Timberwolves, Knicks drop Heat behind Indiana, which has tie-breaker. (5).
6. San Antonio (53-25): Spurs vow revenge: Maybe Robinson can send Mailman stern note on Internet. (6).
7. Indiana (54-23): Bird whips his Pacers in 6-3 run down the stretch, even without Smits. (7).
8. Phoenix (52-25): I can’t believe it, I can’t believe it, I can’t believe it, I can’t . . . (9).
9. Atlanta (46-31): Thanks, Mike: Two crowds worth 108,000 in dome help set attendance mark. (10).
10. Charlotte (47-30): 2-6 as Hawks rip Hornets in Hive in what they hope wasn’t a playoff preview. (8).
11. Cleveland (45-33): Imagine what Fratello could have done if he had Baker instead of Kemp. (11).
12. Portland (44-34): With Sabonis out, Wallace awakens from long sleep, averages 21 over six. (12).
13. Minnesota (42-36): Timberwolves go on 9-3 run as Marbury goes back to passing the basketball. (14).
14. New Jersey (41-36): Van Horn kicks it in down the stretch, averages 25 in five Net victories. (15).
15. Houston (40-38): Olajuwon, career 52% shooter, has made 50% in three of last 10 games. (17).
16. New York (42-36): Oops: Knicks 7-13 as doc says he won’t clear Ewing for return this week. (13).
17. Orlando (39-40): Penny says he’ll be back for playoffs! Oh, they might not make them? (18).
18. Washington (38-39): Hail, hail, gang’s all here, what the heck do they care, what the . . . (16).
19. Detroit (35-43): Little rally helped someone: Gentry now expected to be rehired as coach. (19).
20. Boston (35-42): Another coup for Trader Rick: Celtics calling Dontae Jones “Wild Thing.” (20).
21. Milwaukee (35-43): Allen, movie star, shows he got game in real life, averages 23 over seven. (21).
22. Philadelphia (30-49): I’m getting dizzy: Now Iverson calls Brown reason for 76ers’ turnaround. (22).
23. Sacramento (27-51): Kings’ 2-21 dive gives them cover to do what they have to--trade Richmond. (23).
24. Dallas (20-59): Nelson after Bradley gets 22 points, 22 rebounds: “The guy mystifies me.” (24).
25. Vancouver (18-59): (Small) step in right direction: Broke team record for wins (by three.) (26).
26. Golden St. (16-62): Players say they just work here: Carlesimo plays Mailman man-to-man, holds him to 56. (25).
27. Clippers (16-62): Still have to win one to catch Fitch’s first Clipper team that started 0-16. (27).
28. Toronto (15-62): 76ers’ McKie after beating Raptors: “If they want to lie down, let them.” (28).
29. Denver (10-68): 10 wins might be good as it gets for Hanzlik. Issel expected to can old buddy. (29).
GAME OF THE WEEK
UTAH AT PHOENIX
When--Friday. Time--6 p.m. TV--None.
Outlook--If the Jazz is going to stay ahead of the SuperSonics, or beat the Bulls, it has to do it the hard way. This is the first game of a season-ending trip which will bring Utah to the Forum next Sunday for a get-together of old friends.
More to Read
Get our high school sports newsletter
Prep Rally is devoted to the SoCal high school sports experience, bringing you scores, stories and a behind-the-scenes look at what makes prep sports so popular.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.