THE TIMES’ RANKINGS

NBA RANKINGS AND COMMENTS

1 DALLAS (37-9)

Gag me: Cuban buys “Where’s Finley?” sign in Atlanta since he has only two All-Stars. (2)

2 SACRAMENTO (33-15)

Even with Kings’ depth, losing your two best this season (Webber, Jackson) hurts. (1)

3 PORTLAND (29-16)

Blazing: 19-5 since Pippen ripped bosses, including 5-2 while Wallace was out. (5)

4 SAN ANTONIO (31-16)

Time to hit the trail, cowpokes: With stock show in town, Spurs gone until Feb. 18. (4)

5 DETROIT (31-15)

Pistons not East’s biggest or best, but they are the East’s most together. (7)

6 INDIANA (34-14)

Remember when Lakers were wild and crazy? This crew is wilder than they were. (3)

7 NEW JERSEY (32-15)

You’ve got to give it to Byron Scott as well as Jason Kidd, this little team battles. (6)

8 UTAH (28-19)

Now Sloan’s suspended, but despite all the turmoil, Jazz is 25-12 since 3-7 start. (8)

9 MINNESOTA (27-20)

Gritty little guys 7-1 with Strickland at point, but he’s out for a month. (10)

10 PHOENIX (28-21)

At 6-7, 215, high-bounding Marion is the smallest guy among top 10 rebounders. (9)

11 HOUSTON (25-20) Reeling Rockets go 1-5 until weary Yao wakes to get 24-13 in win over Timberwolves. (11)

12 LAKERS (22-23)

They’ve had zero momentum, but running table to All-Star break would help. (19)

13 BOSTON (26-21)

Walker’s back, which is good, because eight of Celtics’ next nine are on the road. (12)

14 PHILADELPHIA (25-22)

What kept you: After five-plus seasons, Larry Brown says it may be time to leave. (15)

15 MILWAUKEE (24-22)

As experts (ahem) scoff, Bucks climb from 13-19 on Jan. 1 into playoff slot. (18)

16 NEW ORLEANS (24-24)

Now he can rest his sore back too: Davis out a month after knee scope. (14)

17 ORLANDO (24-24)

Without Hill, it’s just McGrady, averaging 32 over last seven, and his helpers. (16)

18 WASHINGTON (23-25)

Wizards just fell to No. 9 in East and they had easiest schedule of the contenders. (13)

19 GOLDEN STATE (20-26)

Oops: Richardson, Arenas skip practice to protest coming out for Boykins, Sura.(17)

20 NEW YORK (20-26)

Chaney was lost last season, but Knicks are battling, 18-16 after 2-10 start. (22)

21 SEATTLE (21-24)

Despite McMillan’s fits, SuperSonics going south in a hurry since 8-2 start. (20)

22 CLIPPERS (17-29)

Brand deserved sub All-Star slot they gave Stojakovic and it’s not even close. (21)

23 MEMPHIS (13-32)

Hubie Brown has yet to reach Gooden, talented, soft and clue-challenged. (23)

24 ATLANTA (18-29)

With Turner out, either major shakeup’s coming or a sale and major shakeup. (24)

25 CHICAGO(17-30)

Remember when Krause said, “Players don’t win titles, organizations do”? (25)

26 MIAMI (16-31)

On the other hand, Riley says he’d love “two or three Artests myself.” (26)

27 TORONTO (12-34)

With rep to reclaim from square one, Carter averages 16 as Raptors go 2-1. (28)

28 DENVER (10-36)

With 22 losses in their last 26, Nuggets’ overachieving days may be over. (28)

29 CLEVELAND (9-38)

Maybe Cavaliers can ask league if they can bring LeBron James in for rest of season. (27)

*

GAME OF THE WEEK

LAKERS AT INDIANA

When -- Tuesday. Time -- 4 p.m. PST. TV -- Ch. 9, 5:30

Story line -- It’s hard to believe the Lakers are still doing tape-delay telecasts in the Internet age, but this is a significant game as they try to find the momentum on the road they couldn’t at home. The Pacers are young, big and deep, so anything’s possible.