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Team (Record) Comment (last week’s position)

1. Philadelphia (48-18) East is over, but best record, and home-court advantage in finals, isn’t. (1)

2. San Antonio (46-20) Since Terry Porter took over as the starter at the point, Spurs are 21-5. (2)

3. Sacramento (44-20) Ten of Kings’ last 18 are at home, where they’re 26-5. (4)

4. Utah (44-20) With Donyell Marshall’s 20 a game, old guys are not fading this year, on 24-7 run. (3)

5. Lakers (44-21) They expected to run into the Trail Blazers again--but not in the first round. (5)

6. Portland (43-23) From Laker perspective, it’s nice to have a rival as messed up as you are. (6)

7. Milwaukee (40-25) Hard to convince people you’re great if you allow 124 to Cavaliers, 108 to SuperSonics. (7)

8. Dallas (43-23) Bradley, ending eight-year $44-million deal, will make playoffs for first time. (8)

9. Phoenix (38-27) Robinson’s slumping so badly, Gugliotta, coming off knee surgery, may take his job. (9)

10. New York (40-26) There’s a place for him, somewhere a place for him: Rice averages 9.0 in March. (12)

11. Miami (40-27) New mellow Riley sends Mason home from trip for being minutes late to meeting. (10)

12. Minnesota (38-28) Seven of next 10 at home as Timberwolves try to salvage postseason from lost season.(11)

13. Charlotte (39-28) Never expect too much: Hornets closing in on Bucks--until they lose to Cavaliers. (13)

14. Orlando (36-29) Since break, McGrady averaging 29 points, seven rebounds, five assists, two steals, two blocks. (14)

15. Toronto (35-31) Keon Clark, 26, is averaging 10 points, 6.4 rebounds off the bench in March. (15)

16. Houston (38-29) Got within game of Timberwolves when Olajuwon dropped out of Rockets’ playoff dream. (16)

17. Seattle (35-33) Baker says he’s uncomfortable as sub. Team uncomfortable paying him $10 million. (17)

18. Denver (32-35) Issel traded Keon Clark for Willis, 38, for a playoff run that never happened. (18)

19. Boston (29-37) If they make playoffs, maybe Pitino can do color commentary on that too. (20)

20. Indiana (28-36) Gulp: Before Isiah can get back here in June, he has to catch Celtics. (19)

21. Clippers (23-44) Late in second season with second team, Maggette’s getting his first chance. (21)

22. Detroit (25-41) One’s reach should exceed his grasp: On 31-win pace, still talking playoffs. (23)

23. Cleveland (24-41) Some homecoming: Jimmy Jackson can’t even keep his starting job here. (25)

24. Vancouver (20-48) Of top seven picks, No. 2 Stromile Swift has lowest scoring average at 4.6. (24)

25. New Jersey (22-46) Good news for Byron Scott: It’s over soon. Bad news: He has to return next fall. (22)

26. Atlanta (20-47) Should have stayed in school: DerMarr Johnson averaging 5.1. (26)

27. Washington (16-50) Richmond wants to show Heat or Lakers he’d be worth $4 million next season. (28)

28. Golden State (16-50) Warriors had already given up and they just lost Jackson, Hughes for the season. (27)

29. Chicago (11-54) Bad news: Elton Brand is sidelined. Good news: Season was already over. (29)

GAME OF THE WEEK

LAKERS at ORLANDO

When--Today. Time--9 a.m. PST. TV--Ch. 4.

* Story line--Another homecoming for Shaquille O’Neal, who has been booed loudly since leaving in 1996. Of course, suggesting he’d return may have warmed his old home folks up.