THE TIMES’ RANKINGS

*--* MT. OLYMPUS 1. DALLAS (63-13) So much for 70 wins: lose two of three as Johnson takes pedal off metal. (1) 2. SAN ANTONIO (55-21) Now 22-3 as Bowen, at 17% on threes since break, goes 13-25 over eight. (2) 3. PHOENIX (57-19) Definitely proved they can beat Mavericks -- assuming they play again this year. (3) 4. UTAH (48-28) Oops: Young team that played so well for so long just lost four of five. (5) 5. HOUSTON (47-29) About to overtake Jazz, they go 0-3 with McGrady’s back out again. (4) DOGPATCH 6. CHICAGO (46-31) 17-6 since All-Star break, now control tiebreaker with Cavaliers for No. 2. (8) 7. DETROIT (48-27) Belly-flop in 18-point home loss to Bulls suggests focus isn’t quite there yet. (6) 8. TORONTO (43-33) You’d like their chances a lot more with Euro-gunners Bargnani, Garbajosa. (9) 9. MIAMI (42-34) Dying to pass Toronto for No. 3, play Wizards instead of Cavaliers or Bulls.(10) 10. CLEVELAND (46-31) Uh-oh: LeBron staying out there with sore knee, trying to hold on to No. 2. (7) STUCK IN THE MIDDLE WITH YOU 11. DENVER (40-36) At long last, Nene: Nuggets win four in a row as he averages 19-8. (14) 12. CLIPPERS (37-38) Late-season reenactment of last season continues with Kaman sighting. (13) 13. LAKERS (40-36) Dear Smush: Keep in touch. (12) 14. GOLDEN STATE (37-40) 8-28 on road before Nelson starts four guards, goes 2-0 but loses to Spurs. (15) 15. NEW ORLEANS (36-41) Mason’s season-ending injury means five starters will have missed 125 games. (16) 16. NEW JERSEY (36-40) Instead of being in trouble, Lawrence Frank should be up for coach of year. (18) 17. ORLANDO (35-41) KG only latest to suggest Dwight Howard’s 17.5 average is on the light side. (17) 18. INDIANA (34-42) Hard to believe they’re not out of it, but they control tiebreaker with Magic. (19) 19. WASHINGTON (39-37) Team everyone wants to meet in playoffs: Arenas leaves with knee injury. (11) IS IT OVER YET? 20. NEW YORK (32-44) 3-10 fade means Bulls, who have their pick, now looking at No. 9. (21) 21. PHILADELPHIA (30-45) Can still catch Kings, Trail Blazers, Knicks, Timberwolves, draft No. 11. (21) 22. PORTLAND (31-45) Roy, Aldridge, Rodriguez wasn’t just good draft, that was half of a new team. (25) 23. SACRAMENTO (31-44) Players grumbled about Musselman all year, but he deserves shot without Artest. (22) 24. MINNESOTA (32-44) Still looking at No. 11 pick. If they wind up with it, it goes to Clippers. (23) 25. SEATTLE (31-46) New owner “disappointed,” meaning GM Rick Sund may go with Coach Bob Hill. (24) 26. CHARLOTTE (30-47) Despite vow to spend, Sam Mitchell hotter coaching candidate than Larry Brown. (26) 27. ATLANTA (28-48) Keep pick from Suns if it’s in top three. Unfortunately, now looking at No. 4. (27) 28. MILWAUKEE (26-50) Brilliant! Hiring new coach means he can tank and still send out his laundry. (28) 29. BOSTON (23-53) Pierce keeps saying he’s going to play, and they keep telling him he’s not. (29) 30. MEMPHIS (19-59) Mike Miller latest to shut it down. Soon they’ll dress 12 fans. (30)

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