THE TIMES’ RANKINGS

NBA RANKINGS AND COMMENTS

1 SAN ANTONIO (35-16)

Future R Us: $14 mill in cap space, won in Portland, Staples without Robinson. (2)

2 SACRAMENTO (36-17)

Webber back in two weeks when they hope to field whole team for first time. (5)

3 DALLAS (40-12)

Are they just seeking their true level or tanking to get away from Lakers? (1)

4 LAKERS (26-24)

Everyone who thought playoffs on road won’t be hard, check Friday’s game. (4)

5 PORTLAND (33-18)

So much for being hottest team around: 0-2 at home coming out of break. (3)

6 INDIANA (37-15)

Missing piece: Point guard Tinsley still can’t hit ocean from boat. (7)

7 DETROIT (34-16)

Wallace first undrafted player ever to start All-Star game. (6)

8 UTAH (31-21)

Mailman of old: Gets nose broken in Houston, stays in, scores 33 in win. (9)

9 NEW JERSEY (35-17)

Despite limitations, Scalabrine’s effort gets him in starting lineup. (8)

10 MINNESOTA (32-20)

Before first-round exits, overachieve mightily as during current 13-3 run. (10)

11 BOSTON (30-22)

Walker, asked why he shoots so many threes: “Because there are no fours.”(13)

12 HOUSTON (27-24)

After all he’s done for them, Tomjanovich won’t be fired if they fade -- this season. (12)

13 PHOENIX (29-23)

For all his promise, Stoudemire’s time, and theirs, still a few years off. (11)

14 MILWAUKEE (27-23)

Finally happening? Long-dormant Tim Thomas averaging 17 this month. (14)

15 NEW ORLEANS (27-26)

Silas may take fall but it’s OK, he wants out of lame organization. (15)

16 PHILADELPHIA (27-24)

Of course, before he leaves, Brown will try to trade half the roster. (16)

17 GOLDEN STATE (24-27)

Happening: Arenas, second-round pick in ‘01, averages 25 over six. (19)

18 WASHINGTON (25-27)

No wonder Oakley mentors confused kids, spiritually he’s one of them. (17)

19 ORLANDO (25-28)

Team executive Weisbrod writes off Grant Hill, calls team’s moves “buffoonery.” (18)

20 NEW YORK (22-28)

Of course, if they had a clue in the world, they’d tank from here in. (20)

21 SEATTLE (21-30)

McMillan fumes when official gripes they can’t sell tickets if he rips players. (21)

22 CLIPPERS (18-34)

If you thought their season was tedious before, catch the next 10 weeks. (22)

23 TORONTO (15-35)

Wilkens down to one year left on contract now so they can finally fire him. (23)

24 MIAMI (18-34)

Riley wants to dump Jones, Grant or Mourning to pursue Olowokandi, Odom. (26)

25 MEMPHIS (14-36)

Gooden available as they learn he and Gasol have to play same position. (27)

26 ATLANTA (19-33)

Of course, we got to leave. They’re stuck there, or most of them, anyway.(24)

27 CHICAGO (18-35)

OK, they’ve rebuilt their turmoil. Now for the team, which just went 0-8. (25)

28 DENVER (12-40)

Nobody said it’d be easy, or possible: Year I of five-year plan drones on. (28)

29 CLEVELAND (10-42)

Good luck: Trying Wagner at point so they can start him with Davis, Miles. (29)

*

GAME OF THE WEEK

HOUSTON AT LAKERS

When -- Tuesday. Time -- 7:30 p.m. TV -- Fox Sports Net, TNT

Story line -- Before the Lakers can worry about getting anywhere in the playoffs, they’ll have to get into the playoffs, and the Rockets already lead the season series, which is the first tiebreaker, 2-0. Oh, Houston also has a center even taller than Shaquille O’Neal.