THE TIMES’ RANKINGS

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

1. Lakers (64-13) Dear Shaq: Take a break. Only thing that means anything is awarded in June. (1)

2. Utah (52-23) Routs at Denver, Dallas revive memories of the old guys’ fade last spring. (3)

3. San Antonio (48-28) Spurs proved they won’t have trouble against Lakers . . . if Shaq is out. (2)

4. Indiana (51-24) All for one and one for all? Not with six free agents, lame duck coach. (5)

5. Portland (55-21) Not that Trail Blazers have lost it, but they just lost to the Rockets and Grizzlies. (4)

6. Miami (49-26) Actually, Riley could get coach-of-year votes for booting creaky roster in. (6)

7. New York (47-28) They’re not really hoping for a rematch after Shaq outscored Ewing, 77-26. (7)

8. Philadelphia (44-31) Not that 76ers, lack options, but when Iverson has sore toe, franchise limps. (8)

9. Minnesota (47-29) Garnett has shot to be second 20-point, 10-rebound, five-assist guy in 15 years. (9)

10. Sacramento (43-32) Oops: Trying to stay out of No. 8 hole but Webber’s hamstring is twanging. (10)

11. Phoenix (48-27) Nobody said it was going to be easy, or fun: Suns are 5-4 since Kidd hurt. (11)

12. Seattle (42-34) Hide women and children, After 2-7 skid, Wild Bunch is here to play Lakers. (12)

13. Charlotte (42-33) How’d they go 7-0? Five were vs. losing teams, two vs. comatose Raptors. (14)

14. Toronto (42-34) Apparently, the opposition has just discovered a cure for Vinsanity. (13)

15. Detroit (40-36) Pistons want Irvine to stay. Of course when, er, if they lose in first round. . . (15)

16. Orlando (38-37) Opponents finally paying them another compliment--not overlooking them. (16)

17. Dallas (35-41) Nellie has it going. Unfortunately, Mark Clueless is kicking him upstairs. (18)

18. Milwaukee (37-39) Long shot after losing to Bulls. Now to play it out, then back up truck. (17)

19. New Jersey (31-45) How’s homecoming so far, Steph? Marbury leaves for duration with bad knee. (19)

20. Houston (30-46) Francis in rookie-of-year drive: gets 49 in wins at Portland and Seattle. (24)

21. Denver (31-45) So what took so long? McDyess averaging 25 points, 12.5 rebounds in April. (21)

22. Washington (28-48) Strickland wants to know why he has to come to games if Jordan doesn’t. (23)

23. Cleveland (29-46) After shooting 50% in his first 10 seasons, Kemp shooting career-low 41%.

24. Boston (30-46) Meanwhile back on parquet, Celtics’ 0-10 faint gives them shot at 50 losses. (20)

25. Atlanta (26-50) Going-away gift: Two more losses make this worst of Wilkens’ 27 seasons. (25)

26. Vancouver (21-54) Belated congratulations: In their fifth season, Grizzlies reach 20 wins. (26)

27. Golden State (17-59) Not that they’re humble: St. Jean says he’s proud they led Lakers for a while. (27)

28. Chicago (16-60) Got to start somewhere: Bulls break club mark for losses with two weeks left. (28)

29. Clippers (14-60) Dear Donald: OK, we’ve seen the debacle, where can we go for the refunds? (29)

*

GAME OF THE WEEK

INDIANA at MIAMI

When--Friday. Time--5 p.m. PDT. TV--TNT.

* Story line--This, of course, assumes you have any interest in the NBA’s minor league, otherwise known as the Eastern Conference. With a possible postseason confrontation coming, both teams are eager to let the other know who the boss is. The Pacers are especially anxious, having lost to the Heat in Conseco Fieldhouse in the last meeting.