Spurs move into top spot in Times’ NBA rankings

RANKINGS, COMMENTS THROUGH SATURDAY

HELLO, RIVERWALK

1. SAN ANTONIO (37-7) Spurs’ magic number over Lakers is just 33. (3)

2. BOSTON (33-10) Rivers has to be revived after hearing that Phil Jackson praised Celtics. (2)

3. MIAMI (31-13) Trying to pick up pieces since Clippers, injuries hit. (1)

4. LAKERS (32-13) Things have been worse -- like the seasons they hated one another. (4)

POISED FOR MOVE, IN WHATEVER DIRECTION

5. ORLANDO (29-15) Good thing Howard is bionic since his backup is, uh, no one. (5)

6. CHICAGO (30-14) Doing this before Noah, Boozer play together settles MVP leader. (8)

7. NEW ORLEANS (29-16) Monty Williams’ Energizer bunnies off again, win eight in row. (11)

8. DALLAS (28-15) Reports that they won’t be a problem for Lakers were exaggerated. (10)

9. OKLAHOMA CITY (28-15) There’s a reason you’re open: Durant’s mates make 23% of threes. (6)

10. ATLANTA (29-16) Good thing Horford doesn’t sit out much -- scored 59 without him. (9)

11. UTAH (27-17) 4-0 on last East trip with miracle rallies, 0-4 on this one. (7)

YOU STILL HERE?

12. DENVER (24-18) Just got more time to win back Anthony’s heart -- oh, never mind. (12)

13. PORTLAND (24-20) Best haunted young team around: lost Camby, won four in row. (14)

14. NEW YORK (22-21) Oops: went 0-6, lost three vs. losing teams, two of those at home. (13)

15. PHOENIX (20-22) They’re back? With Magic leftovers, Suns went 5-0, averaging 115. (21)

16. MEMPHIS (21-23) Marc Gasol, who has sore ankle, scores 20 for first time since Dec. 3. (15)

17. CLIPPERS (16-26) Davis averaging 16 points, 7 assists, shooting 47% this month. (24)

18. GOLDEN STATE (19-23) Having good season. Too bad new owner Lacob doesn’t know it. (18)

19. HOUSTON (20-25) Offer to take Anthony as rental shows Rockets are willing to start over. (16)

EAST PLAYOFF RACE/CELTICS, HEAT APPETIZERS

20. PHILADELPHIA (18-25) With Iguodala closest thing to closer, keep losing close ones. (17)

21. INDIANA (16-23) Playoffs or not, Coach O’Brien, GM Morway reportedly are goners. (19)

22. CHARLOTTE (17-25) Get hint? Jackson, known for funks, shooting 35% this month. (22)

23. MILWAUKEE (16-25) Their team, at last: Delfino finally back, Jennings on the way. (20)

24. WASHINGTON (13-29) Backcourt of future: Young averaging 23, shooting 50% this month. (29)

25. DETROIT (16-28) The guys on way out hate it there, but Pistons still compete. (23)

CLEANUP DETAIL FOLLOWING PARADE

26. TORONTO (13-31) Kids DeRozan, Davis, Amir Johnson look promising Ã?Â? as they go 0-6. (25)

27. NEW JERSEY (12-32) You mean this is all we’re going to have all season? (26)

28. SACRAMENTO (9-32) Veteran Udrih pulls Lord of Flies cast together, more or less. (27)

29. MINNESOTA (10-33) 2 forwards average 20, center’s OK, decent point -- what’s problem? (28)

30. CLEVELAND (8-35) Lost 26 of 27. If only draft had a -- forgive the expression -- LeBron. (30)