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CAPSULES AND RANKING

Team (Record): 1. Chicago (28-4)

Comment: A year ago, Bulls were 29-3.

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Team (Record): 2. Houston (24-8)

Comment: Oops: lose to ... Portland?

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Team (Record): 3. Lakers (24-9)

Comment: In hors d’oeuvres phase of schedule.

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Team (Record): 4. Utah (23-8)

Comment: Stockton getting whiplash as guards whiz by.

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Team (Record): 5. Seattle (23-11)

Comment: 9-8 since Dec. 1; Karl says wait ‘til April.

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Team (Record): 6. Miami (24-8)

Comment: Just passed Pistons as top overachievers.

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Team (Record): 7. New York (22-9)

Comment: Won 13 of 16; Gotham says bring on Bulls.

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Team (Record): 8. Detroit (24-7)

Comment: 42% on threes, tops in league.

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Team (Record): 9. Cleveland (21-10)

Comment: Played 19 at home, 12 on road.

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Team (Record): 10. Atlanta (18-11)

Comment: Played 17 on road, 12 at home.

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Team (Record): 11. Charlotte (17-14)

Comment: Mason: 16 ppg, 10 rebounds, 5 assists.

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Team (Record): 12. Milwaukee (15-15)

Comment: Only Jazz shoots better, 49% to 48%.

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Team (Record): 13. Portland (18-15)

Comment: J.R. rides again: 69 in last three.

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Team (Record): 14. Washington (16-15)

Comment: Only No. 8 in the East.

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Team (Record): 15. Indiana (14-16)

Comment: Loses two to Nets. It’s ... resume time!

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Team (Record): 16. Minnesota (14-18)

Comment: Marbury averaging 19.4 in last 12.

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Team (Record): 17. Phoenix (10-21)

Comment: In Suns’ tradition, Kidd hurt in first game.

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Team (Record): 18. Sacramento (13-20)

Comment: 8-8 since Dec. 1.

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Team (Record): 19. Orlando (11-17)

Comment: Three wins since Dec. 1.

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Team (Record): 20. Toronto (10-21)

Comment: Camby just got hurt again.

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Team (Record): 21. Golden St. (12-18)

Comment: Barkley: “Little bodies.”

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Team (Record): 22. Clippers (12-19)

Comment: When Darrick Martin gets 38, they’re golden.

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Team (Record): 23. Dallas (10-19)

Comment: Hard to play wearing “For Sale” signs.

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Team (Record): 24. Philadelphia (8-22)

Comment: One win since Dec. 1.

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Team (Record): 25. New Jersey (8-21)

Comment: Calipari quits Duncan Derby, actually tries.

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Team (Record): 26. San Antonio (9-20)

Comment: Wins three in a row without the Admiral.

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Team (Record): 27. Denver (8-23)

Comment: Loses to Celtics, Spurs; join the Duncan Derby.

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Team (Record): 28. Boston (6-23)

Comment: Wins at Denver. Celtic pride lives.

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Team (Record): 29. Vancouver (6-26)

Comment: It’s a Small Country so far.

GAME OF THE WEEK

MIAMI at SEATTLE

When--Tuesday. Time--5 PST. TV--TNT.

Storyline--Pat Riley intended to build a powerhouse with owner Mickey Arison’s fortune, but the league scuttled his Juwan Howard signing, obliging him to settle for this scrappy team, which won 14 road games in a row, including victories at New York and Chicago. The SuperSonics have already lost four at home, one more than all last season.