NBA TOP TO BOTTOM

Team (Record) Comment (last week’s position)

1. Seattle (37-10): The big tests are ahead: At Spurs Wednesday, at Lakers Friday. (1)

2. Lakers (34-11): They’ve shown they have the most talent, but that isn’t what this is about. (3)

3. Utah (31-15): Lucky Jazz lived to beat Bulls--Sloan wanted to kill team after Clipper loss. (4)

4. Chicago (34-15): Bulls can still talk the talk, but Jazz, Lakers walked the walk on them. (2)

5. Indiana (33-13): Pacers have East’s best record, but can you imagine them toppling Bulls? (6)

6. San Antonio (34-14): Spurs’ 24-4 run includes no games vs. the Jazz, SuperSonics, Bulls or Lakers. (5)

7. Phoenix (31-15): A year ago, Ainge’s amazing smurfs were 17-31, last in the Pacific. (8)

8. Miami (30-17): Riley says he’s been too tough on them. Translation: Can’t make Richmond deal. (7)

9. Cleveland (27-20): Good news: Gets Bob Sura back. Bad news: Loses Derek Anderson same night. (10)

10. New Jersey (27-21): A year ago, Nets were 13-33, in fifth place in the Atlantic, at break. (12)

11. Charlotte (29-18): Rent-a-Madman: Maxwell makes game-winner in Hornet debut after Magic waiver. (13)

12. Atlanta (29-20): Getting averager and averager. Since their 11-0 start, Hawks are 18-20. (9)

13. Minnesota (26-20): With Gugliotta out, Garnett takes only 24 shots in back-to-back losses. (12)

14. Portland (26-20): 7-1 when rookie Alvin Williams starts at point, 19-19 with Kenny Anderson. (14)

15. Milwaukee (24-23): Midseason surprise: Bucks go 6-0, look as good on the court as on paper. (16)

16. Washington (25-24): Not much has changed but name: Last season Bullets were 22-25 at break. (17)

17. New York (25-21): Knicks go 1-5. Look for Childs to start at point to enhance trade value. (15)

18. Houston (22-24): A year ago the Rockets were 32-16, but they won’t be back there this century. (18)

19. Orlando (23-25): Daly figures they have to finish .667 to get 45 wins, make East playoffs. (20)

20. Detroit (22-25): Happy Pistons have to show what they can do under that nice Alvin Gentry. (19)

21. Boston (22-25): Splash: A year ago Celtics were 11-35--and won only four more after that. (21)

22. Sacramento (20-28): No West race this season: Three behind No. 8 Rockets, with Hakeem back. (23)

23. Philadelphia (14-31): Bottom falling out again as they hit break on seven-game skid. (22)

24. Vancouver (13-36): Shareef gets 19 in loss at Charlotte; Other four starters total 22. (24)

25. Toronto (11-36): Stoudamire offers pour in: Hornets’ Wesley, Hawks’ Blaylock, Trail Blazers’ Anderson. (25)

26. Clippers (11-37): Lorenzen Wright, the Clipper who tries, is back getting 15 rebounds a game. (29)

27. Dallas (9-38): Nelson cornerstone Bradley averaging 11 points, seven rebounds since Jan. 1. (26)

28. Golden State (8-37): For second year in row, Warriors have highest pick not in all-rookie game. (27)

29. Denver (4-42): Bulls sneer “Tony Braxton” at rookie bust Tony Battie during 39-point rout. (28)

SEATTLE AT LAKERS

* When--Friday. Time--7:30 p.m. TV--Fox Sports West.

* Outlook--The West kingpins meet for the second time, the Lakers having discovered the SuperSonics are for real in the first meeting two weeks ago in Seattle. It will be the end of a long week for the SuperSonics, who are in Houston on Tuesday and San Antonio on Wednesday.