TOP TO BOTTOM

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

1. Seattle (22-6) Not that they wouldn’t have liked to have gained ground on Lakers with Shaq out. (1)

2. Lakers (22-6) . . . Now if he can just avoid tripping on a curb and breaking his leg. (2)

3. Chicago (19-9) How vulnerable is this: No Pippen, Jordan at 43%--and they’re leading the East. (10)

4. Miami (18-9) They know what they want next Christmas: Jordan on a golf course somewhere. (3)

5. Indiana (18-9) Test for an aspiring challenger: After going 16-4, they play today in Miami. (4)

6. Utah (17-11) Mailman grumbled at everyone but he picked up when Stockton came back, too. (5)

7. San Antonio (17-10) Scoring in Pacer win: Twin Towers 57, other three starters 26, bench 8. (14)

8. Atlanta (19-10) They couldn’t handle losing one of their subs, much less Mookie Blaylock. (6)

9. Portland (16-10) Dunleavy worries about shooting as starting guards dip to 41%, 39%. (7)

10. Phoenix (17-8) Is Ainge still drawing his starters out of a hat before every game? (11)

11. Charlotte (17-10) Divac lists Clippers as possibility. Maybe he’s been back east too long. (9)

12. Cleveland (17-10) 7-3 Lithuanian, 6-11 Ukranian, known as ‘Z’ and ‘V,’ are both keepers. (16)

13. Houston (15-10) The elderly gentlemen have drifted down to the No. 7 slot in the West. (11)

14. Washington (15-15) Fab Two finally play well together, average 41 points, 16.6 rebounds. (17)

15. New Jersey (15-12) Win in Orlando shows they’re playoff contenders but East race is tough. (15)

16. Orlando (17-12) Team to have new uniforms next season. Big question: Will Penny be in one? (12)

17. New York (16-12) With $68-million man Ewing out, Knicks pray $84-million LJ still has it. (13)

18. Boston (13-13) Scuffling on road but no other NBA coach could have won six with this cast. (19)

19. Detroit (13-16) After pleasant interlude, they’d better win some or bad times will be back. (18)

20. Milwaukee (13-15) Surprise! Notched wins over Knicks, Hawks with Terrell Brandon out. (20)

21. Minnesota (13-14) Kids are all right again: T-wolves have won five of their last seven. (21)

22. Sacramento (10-19) Polynice wants to be traded, too, but line isn’t as long as one for Richmond. (22)

23. Vancouver (10-18) Their rebounding problems start with Big Country, who averages but 6. (23)

24. Philadelphia (7-19) 0-3 mark after deal suggests Stackhouse wasn’t franchise’s biggest problem. (24)

25. Golden State (7-20) Got their Christmas present--two games against the Nuggets in a week. (27)

26. Clippers (6-24) Another young comer--Lorenzen Wright, power forward of 21st Century! (26)

27. Dallas (5-23) Nellie is 1-11, meaning he’s doing even worse than Jim Cleamons did. (27)

28. Toronto (4-24) On bright side, if Isiah didn’t get a no-cut at NBC, he may be back. (28)

29. Denver (2-25) Hanzlik after blowing lead in Oakland: “Find some ground and bury me.” (29)

GAME OF THE WEEK

NEW YORK AT NEW JERSEY

* When--Friday. * Time--4:30 p.m. * TV--none.

* Storyline--Talk about your Ghosts of Christmas Past and Present. The Knicks are trying to convince themselves and anyone who’ll listen they’re still in contention without Ewing. The Nets, woebegone for so long, actually have a roster full of good young players. Crowds at the Meadowlands used to root for the Knicks but that may be ending.