THE TIMES’ RANKINGS

*--* THE WORLD IS MINE 1. DALLAS (51-9) Time for pundits to ask about winning 73 and/or burning themselves out. (1) FOR NOW 2. SAN ANTONIO (45-18) With 12 wins in a row, Spurs looking more like Mavericks but older. (2) 3. PHOENIX (48-14) Tough house: 9-1 since break, but D’Antoni growls about lack of effort. (3) 4. UTAH (43-19) May not be ready to run with big dogs, but their day looks like it’s coming. (4) 5. HOUSTON (38-24) 2-1 with Yao back, looking at Utah in first round, least scary option. (6) MEANWHILE, IN THE D-LEAGUE, ER, EAST 6. MIAMI (32-29) On 6-1 run as Shaq finds fountain of youth or at least a puddle. (12) 7. DETROIT (38-22) Former pride of East loses three of four, one by 18 at home to Warriors. (5) 8. CLEVELAND (37-25) LeBron James, the has-been, averages 37 as they go 4-1. (7) 9. CHICAGO (36-28) Paxson feels so bad about not getting Gasol, he writes fans to explain why. (8) 10. WASHINGTON (34-27) All Arenas all the time: In wins he shoots 48%, in losses, 32%. (9) 11. TORONTO (33-29) Not quite ready for prime time: Peaked at 31-25 after 28-16 run. (11) STILL JUST HOPING TO IMPROVE, HOWEVER FUTILELY 12. LAKERS (33-30) If Stu Jackson hits Kobe a few more times, Lakers may be in running for Oden. (10) 13. DENVER (29-31) Anthony’s modest 1.2 assist/turnover ratio before break drops to 0.5 since. (13) 14. CLIPPERS (28-32) Cassell, who said, “If I go, I go,” went. (14) 15. INDIANA (29-32) In case they wondered if they had to back up the truck, Pacers just went 0-8. (15) 16. NEW ORLEANS (28-35) Byron Scott growls about hunger as gritty band bumps up against its ceiling. (16) 17. SACRAMENTO (28-33) With Artest’s latest problem, who is it they’re rebuilding around again? (20) 18. GOLDEN STATE (29-35) When Nelson wrote off playoffs, he didn’t expect the race to back up to them. (23) 19. NEW YORK (29-34) Race for No. 8 in East coming down to which N.Y.-area team can win 39 games. (18) 20. NEW JERSEY (28-35) After dominating Knicks since Kidd got there, good times may be over. (17) 21. PORTLAND (25-36) Oops: Magloire on way out and the other center, Przybilla, averages 2.2. (21) 22. MINNESOTA (27-35) All that’s left is deciding whether to move Garnett now or in ’08 sign-and-trade. (19) 23. ORLANDO (29-34) Trouble is when you lose 20 of 27, bench Grant Hill and he doesn’t like it. (22) CROSSING OFF DAYS TILL DRAFT, OR SHOULD BE 24. PHILADELPHIA (25-38) Win streak up to seven. Unless they get lucky, draft position down to sixth. (28) 25. SEATTLE (25-37) Talk about making playoffs (presumably) over after loss to 76ers. (24) 26. MILWAUKEE (23-40) If Clippers seek point guard, free agent Mo Williams is a possibility. (25) 27. ATLANTA (25-39) Shelden Williams, surprise No. 6 pick, averaged eight minutes last month. (26) 28. CHARLOTTE (22-41) Now he’s everywhere: Jordan does first local of season -- on house TV network. (27) 29. BOSTON (18-43) On 5-1 run. Better extend Rivers before they mess up their pick, like 76ers. (29) 30. MEMPHIS (16-48) Happily, Tony Barone knows he’s only an interim coach. (30)

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