THE TIMES’ RANKINGS

MARK HEISLER’S NBA RANKINGS AND COMMENTS

(Rank); Team (rec.); Comment (last week’s position)

1 DALLAS (43-12)

Cuban, already dangling Nelson, won’t go for tanking to avoid Lakers. (3)

2 SAN ANTONIO (38-17)

Unlike Parker, Ginobili didn’t make seamless transition but he’s coming. (1)

3 SACRAMENTO (38-18)

So deep, even with their injuries, Turkoglu can’t get 20 minutes a game. (2)

4 LAKERS (29-25)

Oops: If they finish No. 6 or 7, may have to play Mavs, Kings and Spurs. (4)

5 PORTLAND (35-20)

Record looks good but game they played here suggests their roll’s over. (5)

6 UTAH (33-22)

Mailman in love: Averaging 23 since Jan. 1 as he notices they can win. (8)

7 MINNESOTA (35-21)

Western GM: Saunders is one of NBA’s best coaches and no one knows it. (10)

8 DETROIT (37-18)

Hamilton at 25 averages 20, shoots 45% to Stackhouse’s 22, 42% at 28.(7)

9 INDIANA (37-19)

They’ll be sorry: Might have had Payton for Harrington, Bender or Artest. (6)

10 NEW JERSEY (37-19)

Big test is later: Can they integrate Mutombo better than on first try? (9)

11 BOSTON (31-24)

Definitely tougher than they look, prove it by going 4-2 out here. (11)

12 HOUSTON (29-26)

No Shaq, no dice: Tomjanovich says 2-OT loss to Lakers was devastating. (12)

13 NEW ORLEANS (31-27)

Getting Anderson shows how worried they are about Davis, out since Jan. 24. (15)

14 PHILADELPHIA (30-24)

So much for the Brown Era: Iverson smolders as Bibby is chosen for Olympics. (16)

15 PHOENIX (30-25)

Nice knowing you: Went 1-4, benched Stoudemire for “breaking team rule.” (13)

16 MILWAUKEE (28-27)

Good luck: Karl’s mouth, Mason in Your Face, Sam I Am Cassell and now, Payton. (14)

17 GOLDEN STATE (25-30)

Nice knowing you: Dampier, Bay Area’s Elden Campbell, rips coach “Mussel-head.” (17)

18 WASHINGTON (26-28)

Jordan is NBA’s first 40-40 guy: First 40-year-old to score 40. (18)

19 ORLANDO (27-29)

Gambled last trading chip, Miller, that Gooden’s more talented than loopy. (19)

20 TORONTO (17-36)

Wait till (yawn) next year; They’re 7-3 since Carter rejoined lineup. (23)

21 NEW YORK (23-31)

Almost traded Sprewell for Antonio Davis, who’s perfect for them, being 34. (20)

22 SEATTLE (23-30

GM Sund says he’ll spend rest of season watching college games. Good idea. (21)

23 CLIPPERS (19-35)

Odom proposes to Sterling but our hero has a problem with commitment. (22)

24 MEMPHIS (16-38)

Who cares if he traded top pick? West needed small forward, got good one. (27)

25 MIAMI (19-36)

Riley tried to unload Jones or Grant, will try again before the draft. (26)

26 ATLANTA (21-34)

Well, George Karl can’t say Terry Stotts never got a shot, anyway. (24)

27 CHICAGO (19-38)

Happening: Chandler comes out of break with 88-54, 19 blocks over five. (25)

28 DENVER (12-44)

Gang that can’t shoot, period: Last in shooting, threes and free throws.(28)

29 CLEVELAND (10-45)

Miles lets them know he’s unhappy. Of course, at 8.3 a game, so are they. (29)

*

GAME OF THE WEEK

SACRAMENTO AT DALLAS

When -- Thursday. Time -- 6:45 p.m. TV -- ESPN

Story line -- Tired of tracking the Lakers’ ups and downs? Here are two West powers you at least know will make the playoffs. The Kings have won the first two meetings, meaning the Mavericks will be foaming at the mouth to show they can, too, beat them.