TOP TO BOTTOM

Team (Record) Comment (last week’s position)

1. Philadelphia (44-16) Oops: After playing “Let’s get ready to Mutombo-o-o!,” 76ers lose at home to Bucks. (1)

2. Utah (39-18) Situation’s fluid: Starting weekend, top five in West were within 2 1/2 games. (2)

3. Portland (42-18) Dunleavy is on melting ice and Whitsitt wants to hand him an anchor. (4)

4. San Antonio (39-19) Laker loss was only a start. Next team in was Portland, which beat Spurs too. (3)

5. Lakers (38-19) Could be close enough to the end to persuade local heroes to get serious. (5)

6. Sacramento (38-19) Webber says he’s not going to talk about free agency any more. No, really. (6)

7. Milwaukee (35-22) Win at Philadelphia, loss at Indiana shows the Bucks can beat, or lose to, anyone. (7)

8. Dallas (37-22) Cuban signs Maxwell. Of course, after Rodman, he’s going to seem lucid. (8)

9. Phoenix (35-23) As soon as Marion went down, so did the Suns: After 4-0 run, they go 0-2. (9)

10. Miami (35-24) Imagine that: Heat and Knicks on track to go bump in second round . . . again. (10)

11. Minnesota (35-24) Still missing man in middle: Now Timberwolves starting 6-6 Reggie Slater at center. (11)

12. New York (34-24) Good news for Mark Jackson is that the Knicks play so slow, he can keep up. (12

13. Charlotte (33-26) The Hornets win six of seven after Coleman goes on injured list. (14)

14. Orlando (31-26) 0-2 on Western trip, trailing by 14 at Denver, Magic rallies to finish 2-2. (16)

15. Toronto (32-27) Raptors are doing OK against East small fries, but next week they’re out here. (17)

16. Houston (32-28) Rockets are tough on East but 1-13 vs. top five in their own conference. (15)

17. Seattle (31-29) Baker, Payton playing like the season and their SuperSonic careers are already over. (13)

18. Denver (30-31) May not do it: Owner Kroenke’s No. 2 man says he’s “lighting candles” for Issel. (18)

19. Indiana (26-30) What transition? Bender, their most important prospect, rarely plays. (19)

20. Boston (26-33) Been down so long, this looks up to them--Celtic players want O’Brien rehired. (20)

21. Clippers (21-41) Close losses are hard, but this has been a season-long breath of fresh air. (22)

22. Cleveland (22-35) Problem: Cavaliers are going to need a great player and they have no cap room. (24)

23. Detroit (21-37) Stackhouse stops talking about playoffs, starts talking about scoring title. (21)

24. Vancouver (18-42) You think just once Grizzlies could win 25 games before leaving town? Nah . . . (23)

25. New Jersey (20-40) Byron Scott says they’re preparing for next season. Better aim for about 2004. (25)

26. Atlanta (18-42) 0-5 since dealing Mutombo, and Ratliff may not make it back this season. (26)

27. Golden State (16-43) King fans pack Oakland Arena, sing “Na Na, Na Na, Goodbye” to Warriors. (27)

28. Washington (13-46) Richmond, who’ll get next ticket to ride in summer, says Miami looks nice. (28)

29. Chicago (10-47) Thank heaven for little favors: 10th win passes worst-ever 1972-73 76ers. (29)

GAME OF THE WEEK

TORONTO at LAKERS

When--Wednesday. Time--7:30 p.m. TV--Fox Sports Net, TNT.

* Story line: Vince is coming.