The Times’ NBA rankings

STILL IN LEAGUE OF THEIR OWN

1. Cleveland (60-16) Face tough crowd today in Boston. Unfortunately, it can’t play. (1)

KING JAMES’ COURT

2. Orlando (53-23) Howard, once most overrated guy in NBA, now most underrated. (3)

3. Lakers (55-21) Kobe signing, Utah win chill Lakerdom to Defcon 4.9. (2)

4. Phoenix (50-26) NBA’s hottest team, on 10-0 run with 18 wins in last 21. (9)

5. Utah (50-27) 31-8 since Jan. 8 vs. everyone but Lakers, 0-2 vs. them. (7)

6. Dallas (50-26) Beat Denver for tie-breaker but just fourth win in eight. (4)

7. Denver (49-27) Oops: Melo, 2011 free agent, says he’d love to play in NY.(5)

8. Oklahoma City (46-28) Nine teams ever jumped 25 wins. They’re about to be No. 10. (6)

9. Portland (46-30) 32-24 when Camby got there, 14-4 since. (12)

10. San Antonio (46-29) They don’t make first rounds like they used to if Lakers get them.(8)

11. Atlanta (48-27) Back(ing) up to No. 3 as they go 2-2 while Celtics drop. (11)

12. Boston (47-28) Warm up for Cavaliers with 0-3 skid, dropping to No. 4. (10)

13. Miami (42-34) Third hottest team: 29-31 on March 1, 41-34 on April 1. (17)

14. Milwaukee (41-34) Bucks go 2-4, drop to No. 6 as Heat whooshes past. (13)

15. Charlotte (40-35) Insiders: finish will make up Brown’s mind about saying. (16)

16. Memphis (39-36) With Gasol lost, Thabeet gets 11 rebounds in first start. (14)

17. Houston (38-37) Won in OT in Boston--while being eliminated from playoffs. (15)

18. Toronto (38-37) Insiders say Bosh has hung it up as productions drops. (18)

19. Chicago (36-39) Having missed 12 games, Deng up to 64 last three seasons. (20)

20. New Orleans (35-42) Will GM Bower stay as coach? They’re looking for GM-type. (19)

THE BAD, THE WORSE AND THE UGLY

21. Philadelphia (26-50) Fred Carter of worst team ever celebrates as Nets win 10th.(23)

22. Clippers (27-48) What did Kim Hughes do to deserve this (cont.)? Now 6-20. (22)

23. New York (26-49) Signaling they won’t even re-sign oft-injured TMac for minimum. (23)

24. Sacramento (24-52) Evans back after missing five. In surprise, they won one. (24)

25. Indiana (28-48) With Final Four there, locals get to forget they exist. (25)

26. Detroit (23-52) Set for first lottery pick since ’03 when they took... Darko.(26)

27. Washington (22-53) No arrests or suspensions but just one win since Feb. 28. (27)

28. Golden State (22-53) As usual Nellie finishes with six total unknowns on roster. (28)

29. Minnesota (15-60) Highly-regarded Flynn disappears in Bermuda Triangle offense.(29)

STILL IN LEAGUE OF THEIR OWN

30. New Jersey (10-65) Pres. Thorn staying but GM/Coach Vandewehge will walk plank. (30)