THE TIMES’ RANKINGS / Top to Bottom

CAPSULES AND RANKINGS

Team (Record)

1. Chicago (68-10)

Comment (Last Week’s Rank)

How predictable was this? Jordan bristles at talk he’s old, gets 124 in four games. (1)

Team (Record)

2. Utah (60-17)

Comment (Last Week’s Rank)

In 15-game winning streak, Jazz has beaten opponents by average of 16 points. (2)

Team (Record)

3. Miami (59-19)

Comment (Last Week’s Rank)

Riley is busting to get ahead of Jazz in the standings--just in case. (3)

Team (Record)

4. Houston (53-25)

Comment (Last Week’s Rank)

Barkley’s back, let the good times roll, until the next sprain, strain, tear . . . (6)

Team (Record)

5. Lakers (53-25)

Comment (Last Week’s Rank)

Good news: They’re all back. Bad news: Don’t have a month for training camp. 8)

Team (Record)

6. Atlanta (53-24)

Comment (Last Week’s Rank)

Not deep enough: Knick, Hornet, Piston subs outscore Hawks’ in one week, 77-21. (5)

Team (Record)

7. New York (54-24)

Comment (Last Week’s Rank)

Lost six of seven at home. Ewing, 34, isn’t practicing because knees are sore. (4)

Team (Record)

8. Seattle (54-24)

Comment (Last Week’s Rank)

Memo to G. Karl from D. Harris: Thanks for that bit about Shaq in your book. (7)

Team (Record)

9. Portland (46-33)

Comment (Last Week’s Rank)

March is over. Trail Blazers are 3-3 in April, with losses to Warriors, Suns, Mavericks. (9)

Team (Record)

10. Charlotte (51-26)

Comment (Last Week’s Rank)

Who needs Mourning and L.J.? Hornets just broke franchise record for victories. (11)

Team (Record)

11. Detroit (51-26)

Comment (Last Week’s Rank)

Rumbles of a player revolt vs. Collins, but Grant Hill says he’s not in on it. (10)

Team (Record)

12. Orlando (43-34)

Comment (Last Week’s Rank)

You heard of teams you don’t want to meet in playoffs? This one would be OK. (12)

Team (Record)

13. Washington (40-37)

Comment (Last Week’s Rank)

Bullets trying to make sure it doesn’t come down to final game--at Cleveland. (13)

Team (Record)

14. Cleveland (39-38)

Comment (Last Week’s Rank)

Oops: Teams with playoff aspirations can’t be losing games to the Celtics. (14)

Team (Record)

15. Phoenix (38-40)

Comment (Last Week’s Rank)

So much for that winning streak. Look like pre-Barkley Suns, minus Tom Chambers. (16)

Team (Record)

16. Minnesota (38-39)

Comment (Last Week’s Rank)

Playoffs at last, but Timberwolves have beaten two winning teams since break. (15)

Team (Record)

17. Indiana (37-40)

Comment (Last Week’s Rank)

Here’s how dismal Pacers’ season has been: High-water mark was 22-21. (17)

Team (Record)

18. Clippers (34-43)

Comment (Last Week’s Rank)

Did Olbermann get bad comps? Calls win over Nets “utterly meaningless.” (18)

Team (Record)

19. Sacramento (32-46)

Comment (Last Week’s Rank)

Point guard search continues: first Abdul- Rauf, then Edney, now Hurley. (19)

Team (Record)

20. Toronto (28-49)

Comment (Last Week’s Rank)

Won Canadian title. In two seasons, Raptors have 22 more victories than Grizzlies. (20)

Team (Record)

21. Milwaukee (30-47)

Comment (Last Week’s Rank)

It’s too bad there isn’t a Wisconsin state championship Bucks could vie for. (21)

Team (Record)

22. Golden State (29-49)

Comment (Last Week’s Rank)

Only question left: Does Adelman take fall alone or does GM Twardzik go too? (22)

Team (Record)

23. New Jersey (24-53)

Comment (Last Week’s Rank)

Gatling, prize of Maverick trade, wants out. Says he can’t play so close to home. (24)

Team (Record)

24. Dallas (23-54)

Comment (Last Week’s Rank)

So far, doesn’t look like a Nellie team. Mavericks have reached 100 in 1 of 14. (25)

Team (Record)

25. Philadelphia (21-56)

Comment (Last Week’s Rank)

Iverson turns it up, averages 40 for the week chasing rookie-of-the-year award. (23)

Team (Record)

26. Denver (20-57)

Comment (Last Week’s Rank)

Perfect ending: Couldn’t even run season out without getting someone hurt. (26)

Team (Record)

27. San Antonio (20-57)

Comment (Last Week’s Rank)

Admiral carries Pavin’s bag at Masters. Must be some new rebab technique. (27)

Team (Record)

28. Boston (14-64)

Comment (Last Week’s Rank)

In a division with the Nets and 76ers, the Celtics are 0-22 this season. (28)

Team (Record)

29. Vancouver (12-67)

Comment (Last Week’s Rank)

But enough gloomy stats: Grizzlies swept one season series--against Celtics. (29)

GAME OF THE WEEK

UTAH AT LAKERS

When--Today. Time--12:30 p.m. TV--Channel 4 Storyline--It has been eight weeks since the Lakers went into a game with a top team on even terms, but let’s face it, one week isn’t much time to re-integrate Shaquille O’Neal, as well as Robert Horry. Since they have lost all three games to the Jazz--and could play Utah in the second round--a victory today would cheer everyone up around here.