The Times’ NBA rankings
- Share via
TWO THUMBS UP, WAY UP
1. MIAMI (60-16) Chris Bosh should soon have some replacement jewelry for items taken from home. (1)
2. OKLAHOMA CITY (56-20) Top seeding in West may come with home court and a first-round bye (Lakers). (3)
PULITZER-WORTHY
3. SAN ANTONIO (57-20) It always seems like old times with Parker, Ginobili continually breaking down. (2)
4. DENVER (53-24) Even after “Gallo” goes down, deep Nuggets won’t have to turn to Ernest and Julio. (4)
5. MEMPHIS (51-25) Marc Gasol elbows brother Pau, who helps Lakers deliver knockout blow. (5)
6. CLIPPERS (50-26) Needs Caltech’s chemistry department to make a visit to Playa Vista headquarters. (6)
7. NEW YORK (49-26) Heady days for tabloids between Carmelo Anthony’s scoring and win streak. (8)
8. INDIANA (48-29) Showcase game against Thunder shows why West so much better than East. (7)
9. BROOKLYN (44-32) Broadway to go on hiatus this month with basketball taking center stage. (9)
MIXED REVIEWS
10. GOLDEN STATE (44-32) Who thought Warriors would finish second in division and ahead of Lakers? (10)
11. HOUSTON (43-34) James Harden might be reunited with a few old high-scoring pals in first round. (13)
12. CHICAGO (42-33) Bulls beat Magic with more talent in street clothes than in uniform. (12)
13. ATLANTA (42-36) The Final Four is in town, so at least someone will win a meaningful game here. (11)
14. LAKERS (40-36) Mr. Clutch, Dwight Howard, will now be sent to line for every technical free throw. (16)
15. BOSTON (39-37) When things fall apart for Celtics, it’s a shamrockmockery. (14)
16. UTAH (40-37) Gordon Hayward rolls eyes every time someone mentions “White Men Can’t Jump.” (15)
17. MILWAUKEE (37-39) Sub-.500 Bucks getting into the playoffs on a CIF-approved plan. (17)
18. DALLAS (37-39) Middling Mavericks apparently aren’t the best a man can get. (18)
19. PORTLAND (33-43) Trail Blazers need top free agent to go with All-Star Aldridge and star rookie Lillard. (19)
SNEAK PREVIEWS OF A LONG OFF-SEASON
20. PHILADELPHIA (31-45) It really is City of Brotherly Love with Justin Holiday joining younger sibling Jrue. (20)
21. TORONTO (29-48) Dwane Casey reminds Timberwolves fans he can win inside Target Center. (22)
22. WASHINGTON (29-47) Having season tickets at Verizon Center known as capital punishment. (21)
23. MINNESOTA (29-47) No assurances Rick Adelman would reach career victory No. 1,000 with this team. (23)
24. SACRAMENTO (27-49) Sleep Train Arena to be mercifully put to rest if Kings head to Seattle. (24)
25. NEW ORLEANS (26-50) Six, five, four, three, two, one … Pelicans! (27)
26. DETROIT (25-52) Having lost last eight at home, Pistons have become peacemakers at the Palace. (25)
27. CLEVELAND (23-52) Dan Gilbert’s decision about Byron Scott won’t polarize like The Decision. (28)
28. PHOENIX (23-53) Who wins if Suns take on old-timers team of Charles Barkley, Dan Majerle, et al.? (26)
29. ORLANDO (19-58) Magic has lotto fever every day of week as draft approaches. (29)
‘BENEATH THE VALLEY OF THE ULTRA-VIXENS’
30. CHARLOTTE (18-59) Bobcats fans cheer … when LeBron James and Dwyane Wade appear. (30)
More to Read
Go beyond the scoreboard
Get the latest on L.A.'s teams in the daily Sports Report newsletter.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.