NBA TOP TO BOTTOM

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

1. Lakers (66-13) Bulls were eight games ahead of pack when they won 72. Lakes now nine up. (1)

2. Portland (57-22) Weren’t dead after all, just resting: Trail Blazers win at Utah, San Antonio. (5)

3. San Antonio (51-29) Just when they start feeling good about themselves, Duncan is hurt. (3)

4. Utah (53-26) Problems vs. the really big guys: Jazz is 4-8 vs. Lakers, Trail Blazers, Spurs. (2)

5. Indiana (53-26) Actually, it’s good to get New York cheating out of way before playoffs start. (4)

6. Miami (50-29) After Riley says how inspirational win over Knicks was, Heat goes 0-3. (6)

7. New York (49-31) Ewing is 37 but as long as he stays in East, he can play till he’s 50. (7)

8. Philadelphia (48-32) Only you, Larry Brown: After all they’ve been through, they may still win 50. (8)

9. Minnesota (49-30) Garnett having career year in scoring, shooting, three-point shooting, assists, rebounds. (9)

10. Phoenix (52-27) Not that he cares but: Hardaway says his critics won’t admit he’s back. (11)

11. Charlotte (46-33) Mason says blowup turned them around. Of course, he blows up most weeks. (13)

12. Sacramento (44-35) Host SuperSonics Tuesday to see who gets fed to the Lakers in the first round. (10)

13. Seattle (43-36) Just lost 10 of 13 as Westphal benched starters Baker, Barry, Patterson. (12)

14. Toronto (44-35) Looks like they’ll open against Knicks. Raptors won season series, 3-1. (14)

15. Detroit (41-38) Hill endorses George Irvine--sounds like he plans to stay (for now.) (15)

16. Orlando (40-39) Improbable saga’s climax: No-names host Bucks to see who’s playoff-bound. (16)

17. Dallas (37-42) Throw out 3-9 mark in Clueless’ Dennis experiment and they won 24 of 34. (17)

18. Milwaukee (40-40) Unfortunately, Karl can’t talk them past Magic or they’d be shoo-in. (18)

19. Houston (33-46) Vote that means something: TNT’s Danny Ainge says Francis is best rookie. (20)

20. Denver (33-47) McDyess crawls back into his hole as Nuggets fret about his lethargic play. (21)

21. Washington (29-51) Walker has gone 15-21 but Jordan may still bring in first choice Rod Higgins. (22)

22. New Jersey (31-49) Casey, General Manager John Nash, President Michael Rowe all expected to get the ax. (19)

23. Boston (33-46) Pitino says they need veteran help: Duncan, Hill would be about right. (24)

24. Cleveland (31-48) Hard to remember they started season 11-9 because they’re 20-39 since. (23)

25. Atlanta (26-53) No truth to rumor they quit, went home. They quit but are still there. (25)

26. Vancouver (21-58) Mr. Adventure: Versace could have safe job as general manager but he wants to coach. (26)

27. Golden State (19-61) How you know you’ve had a bad season: when Clippers draw more than you. (27)

28. Chicago (17-62) Brand still on upswing. He surprised a lot of people, may keep doing it. (28)

29. Clippers (14-66) Of course, how’d you like to be asking fans to renew for next season? (29)

GAME OF THE WEEK

MILWAUKEE at ORLANDO

When--Monday. Time--4:30 p.m., PDT.

TV--none.

* Story line--We’d rather pick one you can see but by now, most games are little more than exhibitions. This one, however, between the talented, disappointing Bucks and the hungry, no-name Magic, will probably decide the No. 8 slot in the East.