THE TIMES’ RANKINGS

MARK HEISLER’S NBA RANKINGS, COMMENTS:

No; Team (Rec); Comment (last week)

1 LAKERS

(49-23) Who knows what these guys will do next? We’re all just along for the ride. (4)

2 INDIANA

(53-19) Poised to be first East team with home-court all way through since ’97 Chicago Bulls.(2)

3 SACRAMENTO

(51-21) The Kings’ offense now runs through Webber, a shooter, rather than Divac, a passer. (1)

4 MINNESOTA

(50-24) Fun while it lasted: 16 days ago, Timberwolves led Lakers by 3 1/2. (5)

5 SAN ANTONIO

(48-25) Sometimes Hedo: Turkoglu averaging 13, shooting 50% on threes since break. (6)

6 MEMPHIS

(46-26) Later it gets, hotter the Grizzlies get: 40-18 since 6-8 start, 21-5 since Feb. 1. (9)

7 DETROIT

(47-27) Back to Earth or Motown: 8-0 run ends in losses at New Orleans, San Antonio. (3)

8 DALLAS

(44-28) Fun while it lasted: On March 2, Mavericks were 39-20 and led Memphis by 3 1/2. (7)

9 HOUSTON

(41-30) Francis’ problem isn’t mouth but game, which doesn’t feature enough passing. (8)

10 NEW JERSEY

(42-30) Nice knowing you: Kidd may need surgery but hopes to wait until summer. (10)

11 UTAH

(38-35) Had to beat Nuggets Saturday because Denver already has locked up series. (14)

12 PORTLAND

(37-35) Abdur-Rahim doesn’t fit, averaging 12-6 compared with career average of 20-8. (12)

13 MILWAUKEE

(36-36) Amazing thing is Terry Porter’s little band stayed above .500 this long. (13)

14 NEW ORLEANS

(37-36) Turning to clay again with Mashburn out and teammates complaining about him. (11)

15 DENVER

(38-37) If you wondered what Bzdelik’s problem is, Anthony refuses to go in game. (15)

16 SEATTLE

(34-39) There’s something there, it just showed up too late: SuperSonics went on 7-0 run. (19)

17 MIAMI

(35-37) Unknown wunderkind Wade averages 23 in last five as Heat run reaches 10-1. (18)

18 NEW YORK

(34-40) Isiah Thomas’ speeches to team suggest he’ll be coaching it next season. (17)

19 BOSTON

(32-40) Ainge finds a warm body in the East can’t just drop into the lottery. (20)

20 GOLDEN STATE

(31-40) Late but fun: French rookie Mikael Pietrus stars as Warriors go 6-0. (22)

21 CLEVELAND

(32-40) Fun while it lasted: 12 days ago the Cavaliers were No. 6 in East, on a 7-0 run. (16)

22 PHILADELPHIA

(31-42) Iverson’s future there in even more doubt as the 76ers go 7-1 without him. (25)

23 TORONTO

(30-42) Sayonara: Brass leaks word GM Grunwald is staying and Coach O’Neill isn’t. (21)

24 CLIPPERS

(27-47) Oops: 35-win season has gone by boards, and 30 doesn’t look so sure either. (23)

25 PHOENIX

(25-49) McDyess finally ready to play, but he’s a long way from the player he was. (24)

26 WASHINGTON

(23-49) Breaking back in: Kwame Brown averages 26-12 for three, 5-5 for next three. (26)

27 ATLANTA

(24-49) Another one of those years: Not that many saw Hawks, but 23 wore red and white. (27)

28 CHICAGO

(20-53) Now set to shop Tyson Chandler on theory he hates the Bulls and will leave anyway. (28)

29 ORLANDO

(19-55) Hockey guy in charge still backs Johnny Davis as the Magic whirls down the drain. (29)

GAME OF THE WEEK

SACRAMENTO at DALLAS

When -- Thursday. Time -- 5 p.m. TV -- TNT.

Story line -- The Kings have a harder schedule than the Lakers, and this is the second game of a back-to-back after Wednesday’s game at San Antonio.