Inside the NBA: The Times’ rankings

1. SAN ANTONIO (48-10) As Pop says, haven’t dominated opponents -- but on pace to beat 68. (1)

2. CHICAGO (40-17) Presumably with a shooting guard, they’d be on 72-win pace. (5)

3. MIAMI (43-16) Oops: Just learned East has another contender bigger than they are. (2)

4. DALLAS (42-16) Team Lakers catch or play on road in second round goes 15-1. (4)

5. BOSTON (42-15) Personally, I’d say this isn’t time to start thinking about future. (3)

TOO YOUNG, OLD OR WHATEVER

6. LAKERS (41-19) In good news, they feel better about themselves. In bad news, why? (7)

7. ORLANDO (37-22) Happily, it’s not 2012: Came out of break with home loss to Kings. (9)

8. OKLAHOMA CITY (36-21) Showing why Thunder got Perkins, Howard gets 40 vs. Collison, et al. (6)

9. ATLANTA (35-23) Long search for point after passing up Paul, Williams brings Hinrich. (8)

10. NEW ORLEANS (35-25) Cuban, Jackson aghast as NBA’s Team takes Landry’s $3-mil salary. (10)

11. MEMPHIS (33-27) Best “little” move adds NBA’s most underrated glue guy, Battier. (11)

12. PORTLAND (33-25) MJ can’t afford Gerald Wallace’s $9.5 million but Paul Allen can. (13)

YOU STILL HERE -- HE’S GONE?

13. DENVER (34-26) Why didn’t we do this sooner? Nuggets 2-1 since Whatshisname left. (14)

14. NEW YORK (29-27) Anthony’s honeymoon lasts one night -- which is a long time there. (16)

15. PHILADELPHIA (29-29) Kapono, sharpshooter who can’t find a home, being bought out. (15)

16. PHOENIX (29-27) Oops: Nash’s agent says Sarver’s lone untouchable wants out. (12)

17. HOUSTON (29-31) Rolling dice on Thabeet, who looked lost/never had shot in Memphis. (19)

18. UTAH (32-28) Jazz wins Harris’ debut . . . so it’s 1-5 since Sloan left. (17)

19. INDIANA (26-31) Dunleavy Jr., prize under-the-radar free agent, breaks thumb. (18)

20. CHARLOTTE (26-32) No way to run a contender: Wallace leaves in mid-playoff race. (22)

21. GOLDEN STATE (26-31) In Ellis’ shadow, Curry averages 18, shooting 48%, 41% and 93%. (20)

GLUB, GLUB, GLUB

22. MILWAUKEE (22-36) Rehab R Us: Redd practices, hoping to return after year off. (24)

23. CLIPPERS (21-39) No one misses Baron, but they need a lot more than one piece. (23)

24. WASHINGTON (15-43) Real deal, if belatedly: Wall averages 22, 9.0 assists over six. (26)

25. NEW JERSEY (17-42) Line for D-Will forms on right: 0-2 with him, Lopez and . . . who? (25)

26. SACRAMENTO (14-43) If it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck, it’s not a duck yet. (28)

27. MINNESOTA (13-46) If Love was the test, Rambis better try meditation with Randolph. (27)

28. TORONTO (16-43) Triano’s a great guy, a Canadian and lockout looms. Otherwise, gonzo. (29)

29. CLEVELAND (11-47) May be the first time coach and point guard fight a duel. (30)

DESERVE A NICHE ALL THEIR OWN

30. DETROIT (22-39) Kuester lets rebels Daye, Stuckey play as (surprise!) they beat Jazz. (21)