THE TIMES’ RANKINGS

MARK HEISLER’S NBA RANKINGS AND COMMENTS

1 Dallas (25-4)

Cuban stalling, but players say they back Nelson’s desire for extension. (1)

2 Sacramento (23-9)

Almost literally true: Nelson says second team would make playoffs. (2)

3 New Jersey (22-9)

Not that Mutombo was problem, but Nets are 10-6 with him, 12-3 since he left. (6)

4 San Antonio (19-11)

Waiting for Manu, Spurs move Stephen Jackson ahead of Steven Smith and go 4-0. (3)

5 Indiana (22-8)

Up to neck in talented kids: O’Neal out so Harrington gets 18-19-40-23. (7)

6 Detroit (20-9)

Doughnut hole conference: 6-8 Wallace leads centers in All-Star balloting.(4)

7 New Orleans (18-13)

Slip-sliding again after 17-7 start, or: Wherever you go, there you are. (5)

8 Phoenix (18-11)

Nice knowing you, Gugliotta: With 20-year-old Stoudemire starting, Suns are 13-6. (12)

9 Philadelphia (18-11)

Problem: Van Horn has to have ball brought to him and that’s not what Iverson does. (9)

10 Boston (18-12)

Walker, Pierce Nos. 1, 4 in three-point tries, Nos. 75, 88 in percentage. (10)

11 Houston (15-13)

15 million in metro L.A., 1.3 billion in China: Yao Ming close second in All-Star voting. (8)

12 Portland (17-11)

Cheeks surprising ‘em again but he must feel as if he works in penal colony. (16)

13 Minnesota (16-14)

Basic Garnett: ranked in top 20 in points, assists, rebounds, minutes, free throws. (13)

14 Utah (16-13)

Grumpy old men: Sloan, Malone argue, win at Dallas, Memphis, Houston. (14)

15 Seattle (15-15)

Lewis still promising, yet to break out, averaging 18-7 in fifth season. (11)

16 Orlando (17-15)

Get the feeling this isn’t working? Grant leaves lineup for fifth time. (15)

17 Clippers (12-18)

How exactly is this happening? Brand, who’s 6-8, leads league in blocks. (17)

18 Lakers (12-19)

On the bright side, lack of humility shouldn’t be a problem from now on. (18)

19 Washington (13-16)

Consider that torch passed: Jordan trails McGrady, Iverson in All-Star balloting. (19)

20 Atlanta (12-17)

Fired Kruger says coach isn’t as important in pros. Well, he certainly wasn’t. (20)

21 Milwaukee (12-17)

Friends warned Karl: Bucks were 52-30 before Mason arrived, 53-57 since. (21)

22 New York (9-17)

Playoff talk ebbs as little boomlet ends, latest losing streak begins. (22)

23 Golden State (11-18)

Musselman says this won’t do, may change lineup. Richardson: “Why mess with it?” (23)

24 Chicago (10-20)

Why let Crawford keep popping off? Krause has to show he was OK pick. (24)

25 Memphis (9-21)

Out of the picture: Battier got 40 minutes, 14 points as rookie, gets 26-7 now. (25)

26 Miami (10-19)

Free throws up nine a game since Riley’s ref rant. With $50K fine, just $5.6K per. (26)

27 Toronto (8-21)

This should be fun: Carter, Davis home as Raptors start five-game West trip. (27)

28 Cleveland (6-25)

Wagner is held to 53 in four games as defenses catch on and back off. (28)

29 Denver (6-23)

At 5-9 Nuggets were overachievers. With one win since, just hard workers. (29)

*

GAME OF THE WEEK

LAKERS AT PHOENIX

When -- Saturday. Time -- 6 p.m. TV -- Ch. 9.

Story line -- Who are the Lakers, really? After a five-day interlude, they’ll come back against the surprising Suns. If the Lakers hope to salvage a season, they’ll have to start passing tests such as this