THE TIMES’ RANKINGS

GAME OF THE WEEK

NEW ORLEANS at CLIPPERS

*--* No Team (Rec) Comment (last week) 1 LAKERS (18-5) The truth? You can’t handle the truth: All involved embarrassed themselves. (1) 2 INDIANA (18-6) 12 technicals so far vs. 83 for Thomas’ chip-on-shoulder crew last season. (2) 3 SACRAMENTO (15-5) Only one team could compete this well and this long without its star. (3) 4 SAN ANTONIO (15-10) Spurs notice Nesterovic’s numbers don’t mean as much as Robinson’s defense. (5) 5 NEW ORLEANS (17-7) Gung-ho guys Armstrong, Lynch changing Hornets’ old too-cool chemistry. (10) 6 DALLAS (14-8) Apparently, Mavericks’ giant-killing days aren’t completely behind them.(6) 7 HOUSTON (13-9) It’s different: Tomjanovich was always happy. Van Gundy’s never happy. (7) 8 MINNESOTA (13-9) Small but tough with Nesterovic, Jackson gone, Olowokandi out till January. (8) 9 DETROIT (14-10) Wheels come off as Brown tells Carlisle guys they’ll have to do it his way. (4) 10 DENVER (14-9) They may not fall to pieces but they aren’t going to keep this up, either. (9) 11 UTAH (12-10) No, really: Kirilenko’s No. 4 in league in blocks, No. 3 in steals. (11) 12 PORTLAND (11-10) Color Wallace gone and don’t hold your breath till his jersey’s retired. (12) 13 TORONTO (13-9) Went 5-0 after trading themselves into runts, but now Raptors coming West. (13) 14 MEMPHIS (13-9) Hubie Brown, 70, in running for first coach of year award since 1977. (16) 15 PHILADELPHIA (12-11) Finally at full strength as Robinson returns, 76ers lose at home to Nuggets. (14) 16 NEW JERSEY (11-12) Real problem is Kidd doesn’t seem to mind speculation he’ll be traded. (15) 17 SEATTLE (10-10) Difference of opinion: McMillan’s bosses insist this is a contender. (17) 18 BOSTON (12-12) GM Ainge says LaFrentz will have surgery since future isn’t yet. (24) 19 GOLDEN STATE (10-11) After nine losing seasons, team exec blames No. 28 attendance on press. (19) 20 MILWAUKEE (11-12) Gadzuric’s humblest of Bruin centers but he’s up to 10-and-8 this month. (20) 21 CLIPPERS (8-11) Good news is they’re better. Bad news is rest of West is a lot better. (23) 22 PHOENIX (8-15) That future Suns are building for was too far away for Frank Johnson. (18) 23 MIAMI (7-15) Without center or point guard, since 3-11 start, Heat has gone 4-4. (26) 24 NEW YORK (8-16) They don’t make saviors way they used to: Knicks start 0-5 with McDyess. (22) 25 CHICAGO (6-16) Talk about short honeymoons: After winning debut, Skiles goes 0-4. (21) 26 WASHINGTON (7-15) Out-of-control Arenas gets tossed in game he didn’t even dress for. (25) 27 CLEVELAND (6-17) People were already dogging James, who then averaged 26 over last three. (27) 28 ATLANTA (7-18) After Stephen Jackson rants, “Losing isn’t for me!” Hawks drop three of four. (28) 29 ORLANDO (4-20) Fiery Johnny (3-10) Davis “would really like for us to show more fight.” (29)

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When -- Monday. Time -- 7:30 p.m. TV -- Fox Sports Net 2.

Story line -- In the absence of marquee faceoffs, this is an interesting test of the Clippers with Elton Brand getting back in shape and the surging Hornets. Homecoming Baron Davis often brings out his old neighbors and isn’t averse to putting on a show.