THE TIMES’ RANKINGS

MARK HEISLER’S NBA RANKINGS, COMMENTS (Last Week’s Rank)

*--* BIG DOGS 1. DALLAS 9-0 since 0-4 start, coming off a win in San Antonio with Josh Howard back. (3) 2. UTAH Lakers meet new, improved Deron Williams, who takes over at end of their game. (1) 3. SAN ANTONIO Duncan at 23 a game, best since 2002-03. Manu’s at 14.3, lowest since 2003-04. (2) GOOD-SIZED DOGS 4. LAKERS Lamar has 67 in last three, looking better than he ever has with Kobe around. (4) 5. PHOENIX They’re b-a-c-k: Just went 5-1 after 1-5 start with Amare averaging 18. (11) 6. HOUSTON On bright side, Rockets just started 9-4 with Yao and 11 role players. (9) 7. DETROIT Just went 6-0. If they can’t win East, they should disband the franchise. (13) UPWARDLY MOBILE, THEY HOPE 8. ORLANDO Raw as Dwight Howard is, no one else has put up 20-20, much less back to back. (7) 9. CLEVELAND Presumed East kingpin has lost four games to teams with losing records. (6) 10. DENVER Happening: 6-1 after 1-3 start with J.R. Smith averaging 23 in last five. (14) 11. NEW ORLEANS Kids were 8-4 before losing at home to Minnesota, getting run over in Dallas. (8) 12. INDIANA 3-1 run makes Pacers one of four winning East teams, but next six are on road. (15) 13. SACRAMENTO Let Ronnie be Ronnie: Artest is taking 4.2 three-pointers a game, making 19%. (16) 14. GOLDEN STATE Major comer: Monta Ellis, prep they got in 2005 second round, averaging 19. (10) 15. MINNESOTA Timberwolves may not be great, but they still compete. Ask the Clippers. (27) 16. CLIPPERS Turned out to be tad early to talk about that keen Lakers-Clippers rivalry. (5) 17. NEW JERSEY Worst division in worst conference: Nets still lead Atlantic at 5-7. (12) 18. MIAMI Riley benches Walker, Payton as defending champions drop to 5-8. (19) 19. WASHINGTON High-scoring trio needs role players. Wizards outrebounded by six a game. (18) 20. SEATTLE Thanksgiving comes early as Sonics have their turkey the night before. (23) 21. CHICAGO On bright side, circus trip ends at 1-7 and no one was taken prisoner. (17) REBUILDING, KIDDING THEMSELVES, ETC. 22. PHILADELPHIA Win over Bulls ends 1-7 skid, ties 76ers with Nets before loss in Cleveland. (21) 23. PORTLAND After coming from 19, 16, 13 down to win, just did it from 14 behind vs. Nets. (20) 24. BOSTON Doc Rivers, who almost walked away last season, may not have a choice soon. (25) 25. MILWAUKEE Terry Stotts’ future dims with supposedly bright young team off to 4-9 start. (22) 26. ATLANTA Unnoticed in NBA’s black hole, Johnson has financial security, 28-point average. (24) 27. NEW YORK Marked down: Marbury has $15 sneaker, 10.1 average, goes scoreless vs. Bulls. (26) 28. CHARLOTTE Future looks good anyway with Okafor back, Morrison averaging 20 over six. (28) 29. TORONTO Mitchell has team over for Thanksgiving amid reports it’s his last supper. (29) 30. MEMPHIS Grizzlies hope Gasol returns next month, but next week is too late for Fratello. (30)

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