NBA TOP TO BOTTOM

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

1. Philadelphia (30-9) Just what they needed, a crisis: Since Iverson got hurt, 76ers are 11-1. (2)

2. Portland (30-12) Still needs chill pill: Wallace snarls at Mike Dunleavy on national TV. (1)

3. Sacramento (27-10) If you haven’t been taking Kings seriously, it’s time to start. (5)

4. Lakers (26-12) Circus heading out: After today, 10 of their next 14 are on road. (4)

5. San Antonio (23-15) Good thing Spurs are usually fast closers ‘cause they ain’t much right now. (3)

6. Utah (24-14) Here’s capper: Ostertag demands trade. Who does he think wants him, Quad City? (7)

7. Milwaukee (24-15) Huh?: Since 3-9 start, Bucks’ 21-6 record is best in the league. (12)

8. New York (25-13) Who’s afraid of big bad West: They just beat Trail Blazers by 13, Spurs by 22. (8)

9. Dallas (27-16) This can’t last but: Mavericks go 2-3 and Cuban doesn’t even get fined once. (9)

10. Phoenix (23-14) Goodbye, Backcourt 2000: Penny out for season, Kidd arrested for assault. (6)

11. Miami (24-18) Somehow you can picture Patrick Ewing making last hurrah here next year. (10)

12. Denver (24-17) Issel for Almost-Unhorsed Coach of Year: Nuggets 14-4 since their mutiny. (13)

13. Minnesota (23-18) Return of Anthony Peeler: Back starting and averaging 15 points in January. (14)

14. Charlotte (23-19) Had to happen: After 20-9 start, headed back toward .500 where they belong. (11)

15. Toronto (21-19) Corliss Williamson: from starter to substitute to DNP to available. (17)

16. Seattle (21-21) So much for his honeymoon: McMillan started 9-3 but since the SuperSonics are 6-9. (15)

17. Houston (20-20) Olajuwon asks to be waived. Rockets really don’t want to see him go to rival. (16)

18. Indiana (19-21) One move that worked: O’Neal averaging 15 points, 10.6 rebounds this month. (19)

19. Cleveland (18-20) 3-11 since Ilgauskas left. Just fell under .500 for first time and may not be back. (18)

20. Orlando (18-21) McGrady averaging 28 this month but they’re just good enough to make it close. (20)

21. Atlanta (14-24) Now say they’ll keep Mutombo all season and take offers for him in summer. (21)

22. Detroit (15-25) Remember when Stackhouse said they’d be better without Grant Hill? So does Hill. (22)

23. Boston (15-25) Once NBA was Auerbach and bunch of schnooks. Now they’re one of the schnooks. (24)

24. Golden State (12-27) With Jackson getting 18-10 and Jamison at 25, they should win a few more. (25)

25. New Jersey (14-27) A Pulse! Went 2-12 before Van Horn got 27 and 24 in back-to-back wins. (26)

26. Clippers (13-29) Nothing wrong a 20-points-a-game veteran and new ownership wouldn’t cure. (23)

27. Vancouver (11-28) Ticket to ride: Harrington sizzles as skinny rookie Swift gets his job. (27)

28. Chicago (6-34) Playing people tougher now. Of course, they still lost their last seven. (28)

29. Washington (7-34) People wonder where Jordan is (hint: check golf course) as Nesby flips out. (29)

GAME OF THE WEEK

SAN ANTONIO at SACRAMENTO

* When--Thursday. Time--7:30 p.m. TV--TNT

* Storyline--Are the Spurs ever going to get back to the level they reached two springs ago, when they waltzed to a title? They didn’t have a chance last season when Tim Duncan was hurt. Now he’s back but so far, they aren’t.