NBA TOP TO BOTTOM

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

1. Utah (16-4) Bet on it: At this pace Mailman would pass Kareem in 2005 when he’s 41. (3)

2. Philadelphia (16-4) With Snow out, Iverson at point gets 30 with 10 assists in win at Portland. (4)

3. Sacramento (13-4) I’m not believing this but: No. 10 in defense with a winning road record. (6)

4. Lakers (14-7) Shaq and Kobe... J.R... You remember Showtime? This is Sideshowtime. (1)

5. San Antonio (12-7) Not quite there: For all their size, depth, defense, they’re 3-6 on road. (2)

6. Portland (14-8) ‘Big Three,” Lakers, Spurs, Blazers now running 4-5-6 in the West. (5)

7. Phoenix (12-6) Nice start with favorable schedule but just lost to Nets without Marbury. (7)

8. Minnesota (12-8) Just your basic week anymore: Lose owner, GM, win three games in a row. (8)

9. Dallas (13-8) Too bad it isn’t about running his mouth or Cuban would lead league. (9)

10. New York (14-9) Fearing Houston will opt out and split, Knicks are shopping him around. (11)

11. Charlotte (13-9) Imagine that: Exhaustive search turns up no teams interested in Coleman. (12)

12. Toronto (10-9) Carter hurries back. Probably feared one of old guys might get heart attack. (10)

13. Miami (10-10) Eddie fitting in but Riley says for $86 mill, they had more in mind. (16)

14. Seattle (10-12) Nate 4-3, loses at home to Nuggets, Pistons but shows Lakers aren’t a problem. (15)

15. Houston (11-9) So much for graceful exits: Venerable Hakeem says he wants ball more. (14)

16. Denver (10-11) Nuggets nothing to laugh at at home. Of course, that still leaves road. (18)

17. Cleveland (12-7) Eastern Kidd: Miller gets 40 points, 20 assists, 17 boards as they go 2-0. (13)

18. Indiana (10-10) Blah, blah: Goes 1-2 after Isiah says win at Vancouver turned them around. (17)

19. Orlando (9-11) Tracy McGrady averages 34 points, 9.3 rebounds as Magic wins four in row. (21)

20. Detroit (9-11) Don’t look now but in this conference, this projects to playoff berth. (23)

21. Milwaukee (9-11) Keeper among Bucks’ big three: Allen in top 15 in scoring, threes, steals. (19)

22. Boston (8-11) Would I lie to you? (Yes): Pitino swears talk of going was motivational ploy. (20)

23. Golden State (6-15) Jamison’s a tweener but a great one and now he’s learning to shoot. (27)

24. New Jersey (7-13) When losing streak hit nine, Byron was growing fangs like Dracula. (22)

25. Vancouver (7-13) Cheapo owner with funny name may move Dickerson, Harrington to save $$. (24)

26. Clippers (6-16) Sound familiar? Odom says he ‘always dreamed of playing for Knicks.’ (25)

27. Atlanta (4-16) Asking for Marion but Suns offering Robinson, Rogers for Mutombo. (28)

28. Washington (4-17) Jordan sees third game, gives pep talk. Wizards blow 21-point lead to Clippers. (26)

29. Chicago (2-18) Locals advise re-acquiring Kukoc since Bulls need someone with a clue. (29)

GAME OF THE WEEK

LAKERS at PORTLAND

* When--Wednesday. Time--7:30 p.m. TV-- Channel 9, TBS.

* Story line--It’s not even Christmas and the Lakers are paying their last visit to the Rose Garden, unless they happen back that way in the postseason. The Lakers won there on opening night when Mike Dunleavy forgot to hack Shaq and O’Neal went for 36. We suspect Dunleavy won’t spare the rod this time.