The second half

Quotage

It was politics . . .

Miami rookie Michael Beasley, a Washington, D.C., native, on going No. 2 after the Bulls drafted Derrick Rose, who’s from Chicago:

“I think he had more people in his corner. When it comes down to it, if the Wizards had the first pick, I’d be pretty upset if they didn’t pick me, hometown kid, great player, good all-around guy.”

. . . or not

Miami Coach Erik Spoelstra, who has benched Beasley, on Rose:

“It reminds me of watching Dwyane [Wade] his rookie year. With the ball, he’s as fast as anyone end to end and he can get into the smallest of gaps like Dwyane can . . . and all of a sudden he’ll emerge and he’s at the rim. He’s got a real explosive gift.”

Just good friends

Denver Coach George Karl, to ESPN’s “Pardon the Interruption,” on Chauncey Billups:

“My assistant coaches told me if I don’t stop complimenting Chauncey in the newspaper they’re going to think I’m having a romantic affair with him.”

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Looking ahead

BOSTON AT

PORTLAND

7 p.m., Tuesday

The Celtics’ 29-3 start last season carried on past Christmas, including their 4-0 West Coast trip, which they capped by routing the Lakers, who wore retro uniforms for “Short Shorts Night” and were further humiliated, 110-91.

However, the Celtics’ 27-2 start this season was just interrupted by their Christmas loss to the Lakers, followed by a surprise the next night in Oakland, where they blew a 14-point third-quarter lead and were upset by the Warriors.

The Trail Blazers started impressively, going 15-7 with 15 of the 22 on the road, but then went 3-5, with six of the eight at home, amid questions about depending too much on Brandon Roy.

This is the last game on the Celtics’ trip, with a day off to get ready, after three in four nights.

Facing the young, deep Trail Blazers, they’ll need it.

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RANKINGS, COMMENTS THROUGH SATURDAY

SO MUCH FOR THE CELTICS ERA

1. Lakers (24-5)

Who’d have thunk it? Even if you’re not great on defense, competing helps. (4)

2. (tie) Boston (27-4)

I Don’t think losing to Warriors was what Doc meant about starting a new streak. (1)

2. (tie) Cleveland (25-4)

On 24-2 run but haven’t played one of top four teams since opener at Boston. (2)

4. Orlando (24-6)

On 24-4 run with Nelson averaging 20 this month, shooting 58%, 61% on threes. (4 3)

STILL AWAITING THAT WEST CHALLENGER

5. Houston (20-11)

Tracy’s McGrady’s out again. This time he should shut it down until playoffs. (6)

6. San Antonio (20-10)

Big 2 1/2: Manu isn’t Manu yet, averaging 14 in 25 minutes. (9)

7. Denver (19-11)

Carmelo Anthony, shooting career-low 42%, misses three games because of sore right elbow. (8)

8. New Orleans (17-9)

Yesterday’s gone: Scored 87 in loss to Lakers, 68 in rout by Orlando. (5)

9. Atlanta (19-10)

Joe Johnson trails Arenas, Ridnour and eight (8) others in All-Star voting. (12)

10. Portland (18 19-12)

Fear grips community as Oden averages 18 minutes, 5.0 fouls over four. (7)

11. Detroit (17-11)

Three-guard lineup looks better as Stuckey scores 20-40-12-16. (14)

12. Utah (18-14)

Now Millsap, who held Jazz up with Boozer out, is out too. (10)

13. Dallas (17-12)

So much for this group: Cuban says if they fall, it’s just for one season. (13)

14. Phoenix (16-12)

Now to see how owner Sarver, who messed up a good thing, handles adversity. (11)

15. Miami (16-12)

Comer once more: Daequan Cook averages 11 off bench this month, 55% on threes. (15)

16. New Jersey (15-15)

They were going to shop Carter but had no idea they’d be playoff contenders. (16)

SOMEONE HAS TO BE NO. 8 IN EAST

17. Milwaukee (14-17)

Getting Skiles’ defense? Just gave up 89 a game in 5-1 run compared with 99 before. (18)

18. Chicago (13-17)

Oops: No. 1 scorer Gordon will be a free agent and they don’t want to pay him. (17)

19. Charlotte (11-20)

Why Larry Brown can always work: Diaw averages 15-9-5 as they go 4-1. (25)

20. Memphis (10-20)

Gets it: Mayo, who averaged 2.3 assists in November, at 4.1 this month. (22)

21. Toronto (12-17 18)

Got Jermaine O’Neal because Mitchell didn’t want to run. Now Mitchell’s gone. (21)

22. Philadelphia (12-17)

Now called Suns of the East, signing Elton Brand, a low-post player, on open-court team. (19)

23. New York (11-17)

Out of miracles: 0-5 since wins in New Jersey, Sacramento with seven players. (20)

HOPING FOR BETTER THINGS IN 2009

24. Clippers (8-20)

Needed that six days off. Fortunately or not, back in action today. (23)

25. Indiana (10-19)

You have to start somewhere: At least no one still on the team has been arrested. (24)

26. Golden State (9-22)

Beating Celtics is either a great sign or really bad for Celtics. (27)

27. Sacramento (7-23)

Short honeymoon: Interim c Coach Kenny Natt 0-5 since winning debut. (26)

28. Washington (5-23)

Nick Young averaged 25 minutes, 12 points off the bench last month, 12-6 this one. (28)

29. Minnesota (5-24)

At least McHale won’t go out like Lions: After 0-8 start, wins in New York. (29)

30. Oklahoma City (3-28)

Now GM Sam Presti, a former Spur, just has to get Robinson, Duncan in lottery. (30)