THE TIMES’ RANKINGS

MARK HEISLER’S NBA RANKINGS AND COMMENTS

1 DALLAS (20-3)

On the other hand, Mavericks haven’t played Kings, 1-1 vs. Lakers, 0-1 vs. Spurs. (1)

2 SACRAMENTO (19-6)

Return of Turkoglu, Stojakovic, Funderburke at least gives them 10 for scrimmage. (2)

3 NEW ORLEANS (17-7)

East power makes impressive move in West, beating Jazz, Lakers back-to-back. (9)

4 SAN ANTONIO (14-9)

Parker, surprisingly tentative before, scores 54 in wins vs. Mavericks, Clippers. (3)

5 NEW JERSEY (16-7)

Good news/bad news: Doing better without Mutumbo, who is owed $53 million. (8)

6 INDIANA (17-5)

Reggie says he needs ankle surgery next summer, just has to last until then. (6)

7 UTAH (12-11)

Any more at home like you? Kirilenko averages 13 in 26 minutes, shoots 56%.(4)

8 PHILADELPHIA (15-8)

Losses have Brown complaining about no passing, or in other words, Iverson. (7)

9 BOSTON (16-7)

O’Brien, after Baker gets 8-8 in rare start with Battie out: “He did OK.” (10)

10 DETROIT (15-7)

Better D it up: Pistons hold teams to 42.2% but they shoot only 43. (11)

11 HOUSTON (12-10)

Now Yao’s ready, next thing is to get launch-ready guards to pass him ball. (12)

12 SEATTLE (13-11)

Huh? After losing six of nine, SuperSonics win at Philadelphia, Toronto. (13)

13 MINNESOTA (13-11)

Szczerbiak’s high maintenance but if T-Wolves didn’t know they needed him, do now. (14)

14 PHOENIX (13-10)

Huh (cont.)? After losing four of six, Suns win at Philadelphia, Boston. (16)

15 LAKERS (9-15)

On other hand, have you noticed their new rivalry with Clippers? (5)

16 ORLANDO (13-11)

Nothing like a little Horace sacrifice: After cutting Grant, they rout Warriors.(15)

17 CLIPPERS (10-14)

Odom’s almost ready to return. Great, one more free agent mouth to feed. (18)

18 PORTLAND (11-11)

Paul Allen PR-mad at America’s Cup. On other hand, there are these guys. (17)

19 ATLANTA (10-13)

May get out of $125 playoff guarantee for (both) season-ticket holders. (19)

20 MILWAUKEE (10-13)

Big Dog/little dog (cont.): Tim Thomas still averaging only 12.8 points. (20)

21 WASHINGTON (9-13)

Maybe they should try putting Kwame Brown back in and benching Michael. (22)

22 TORONTO (7-15)

Carter is out again. Now looking more like Next Penny than Next Mike. (21)

23 GOLDEN STATE (8-15)

Arenas happening and, as restricted free agent, looking at major $$. (23)

24 NEW YORK (7-14)

Long gone, finally appreciated: Knicks to retire Ewing’s jersey. (26)

25 MEMPHIS (6-19)

Wizard of Memphis: After 2-8 start under Brown, Grizzlies win four in row. (29)

26 DENVER (6-18)

Overachieving so much, Bzdelik compared to another Riley guy, Van Gundy. (24)

27 CHICAGO (7-16)

Williams’ slow start (cont.): Can use more than 10 shots a game he gets. (25)

28 CLEVELAND (5-20)

Talk about tanking: Davis gets 40 twice. Then there’s Ilgauskas, Wagner, Hill ... (27)

29 MIAMI (6-17)

Big question: When this nightmare ends, will free agents sign with Riley? (28)

*

GAME OF THE WEEK

LAKERS AT NEW JERSEY

When -- Thursday. Time -- 4:30 p.m. TV -- Ch. 9, TNT

Here’s a cliche you won’t be hearing as much of: “finals preview.” The struggling Lakers will be on the second of a four-game trip, which they’ll start with a 2-10 road record, having beaten only the Clippers and Grizzlies. The Nets, who ran away with the East last season, look as if they’re in for a fight this time.