THE TIMES’ RANKINGS: TOP TO BOTTOM

Team (record): Comment (last week’s position)

1. Chicago (60-18): Bulls move game ahead of Jazz again for home-court advantage throughout playoffs. (1).

2. Utah (59-19): Support your local Mailman or else: Malone lays out Robinson, breaks Marshall’s rib. (3).

3. Seattle (58-20): Nothing wrong with 21-10 after break unless, of course, Jazz goes 27-4. (2).

4. Lakers (57-21): Something’s rotten in Denmark: Went 18-3 and got wiped out in every big game. (4).

5. Miami (54-24): Oops: Losses to Timberwolves, Knicks drop Heat behind Indiana, which has tie-breaker. (5).

6. San Antonio (53-25): Spurs vow revenge: Maybe Robinson can send Mailman stern note on Internet. (6).

7. Indiana (54-23): Bird whips his Pacers in 6-3 run down the stretch, even without Smits. (7).

8. Phoenix (52-25): I can’t believe it, I can’t believe it, I can’t believe it, I can’t . . . (9).

9. Atlanta (46-31): Thanks, Mike: Two crowds worth 108,000 in dome help set attendance mark. (10).

10. Charlotte (47-30): 2-6 as Hawks rip Hornets in Hive in what they hope wasn’t a playoff preview. (8).

11. Cleveland (45-33): Imagine what Fratello could have done if he had Baker instead of Kemp. (11).

12. Portland (44-34): With Sabonis out, Wallace awakens from long sleep, averages 21 over six. (12).

13. Minnesota (42-36): Timberwolves go on 9-3 run as Marbury goes back to passing the basketball. (14).

14. New Jersey (41-36): Van Horn kicks it in down the stretch, averages 25 in five Net victories. (15).

15. Houston (40-38): Olajuwon, career 52% shooter, has made 50% in three of last 10 games. (17).

16. New York (42-36): Oops: Knicks 7-13 as doc says he won’t clear Ewing for return this week. (13).

17. Orlando (39-40): Penny says he’ll be back for playoffs! Oh, they might not make them? (18).

18. Washington (38-39): Hail, hail, gang’s all here, what the heck do they care, what the . . . (16).

19. Detroit (35-43): Little rally helped someone: Gentry now expected to be rehired as coach. (19).

20. Boston (35-42): Another coup for Trader Rick: Celtics calling Dontae Jones “Wild Thing.” (20).

21. Milwaukee (35-43): Allen, movie star, shows he got game in real life, averages 23 over seven. (21).

22. Philadelphia (30-49): I’m getting dizzy: Now Iverson calls Brown reason for 76ers’ turnaround. (22).

23. Sacramento (27-51): Kings’ 2-21 dive gives them cover to do what they have to--trade Richmond. (23).

24. Dallas (20-59): Nelson after Bradley gets 22 points, 22 rebounds: “The guy mystifies me.” (24).

25. Vancouver (18-59): (Small) step in right direction: Broke team record for wins (by three.) (26).

26. Golden St. (16-62): Players say they just work here: Carlesimo plays Mailman man-to-man, holds him to 56. (25).

27. Clippers (16-62): Still have to win one to catch Fitch’s first Clipper team that started 0-16. (27).

28. Toronto (15-62): 76ers’ McKie after beating Raptors: “If they want to lie down, let them.” (28).

29. Denver (10-68): 10 wins might be good as it gets for Hanzlik. Issel expected to can old buddy. (29).

GAME OF THE WEEK

UTAH AT PHOENIX

When--Friday. Time--6 p.m. TV--None.

Outlook--If the Jazz is going to stay ahead of the SuperSonics, or beat the Bulls, it has to do it the hard way. This is the first game of a season-ending trip which will bring Utah to the Forum next Sunday for a get-together of old friends.