THE TIMES RANKINGS

1 ACRAMENTO

(48-17)Doesn’t look like Webber’s return messed the Kings up that much, does it? (1)

2 INDIANA

(49-16)East race (?) is over with the Pacers leading by eight games with 17 left. (2)

3 MINNESOTA

(46-20)Remember how much fun Lakers had there last spring? More may be at hand. (3)

4 SAN ANTONIO

(44-22)Hasn’t happened yet: Ginobili is game’s most exciting player but shoots 41%. (4)

5 LAKERS

(43-23)Down to trying to catch Spurs and hoping for their usual postseason miracle. (5)

6 DETROIT

(42-25)So far, so good: Brown just won eight of nine with his two-Wallace lineup. (8)

7 DALLAS

(41-24)Let’s just say that Cuban wouldn’t be too keen on finishing behind Memphis. (6)

8 HOUSTON

(39-26)Yao still coming, averaging 22 points, shooting 57% since All-Star break. (9)

9 MEMPHIS

(41-25)Whatever’s going on is still happening: Now the Grizzlies are closing in on Mavericks. (10)

10 NEW JERSEY

(40-24)That would be fun: Neglected Nets could meet Beloved Knicks in first round. (5)

11 DENVER

(35-32)Not that panic is near: After 2-9 swoon there’s talk Bzdelik’s in danger. (11)

12 MILWAUKEE

(34-31)Bucks, 24-9 at home, hoping to finish No. 4 and open first round there. (12)

13 NEW ORLEANS

(35-31)Doofus owner Shinn meets with players to ask them what the problem is. (13)

14 UTAH

(34-32)Who are these guys (cont.): Starters are making $4.8 million combined. (14)

15 PORTLAND

(32-33)OK, what to do with two power forwards, Randolph and Abdur-Rahim? (15)

16 CLEVELAND

(29-36)Ricky Davis’ defining moment: Leaving, after which Cavaliers went 23-17. (17)

17 NEW YORK

(29-37)Oh, that should make all the difference: Knicks win Vin Baker sweepstakes. (16)

18 MIAMI

(29-37)Junior circuit on pace to have three playoff teams with 37 wins or fewer. (21)

19 SEATTLE

(28-38)Have a latte and relax: Owner Schultz rails about falling by wayside. (20)

20 BOSTON

(30-38)Davis’ defining moment there is show vs. Lakers, which makes him untenable. (22)

21 PHILADELPHIA

(28-38)Thomas becomes the man with Iverson in and out, intermittently and spiritually. (25)

22 TORONTO

(27-38)O’Neill-Grunwald rift so obvious, upper management has to deny there is one. (23)

23 CLIPPERS

(26-39)Might be better just to send regrets: They’re 3-16 on the road vs. West. (18)

24 GOLDEN STATE

(25-40)You could have problems with Arenas, but how did Boykins get out of there? (19)

25 PHOENIX

(21-45)Training camp for next season opens as the Suns try Joe Johnson at point. (24)

26 WASHINGTON

(20-45)Bad career move: If Eddie Jordan had turned down Wizards, he’d be Nets’ coach now. (26)

27 ATLANTA

(21-44)Stotts, GM Knight, CEO Kasten expected to go as new owners finally arrive. (28)

28 ORLANDO

(19-49)Other shoe finally falls on GM Gabriel after first one nailed coach Doc Rivers. (29)

29 CHICAGO

(18-48)Not that this isn’t working, but the Bulls just fell below Orlando, which started 1-19. (27)