Heat tops The Times’ NBA rankings once again

RANKINGS, COMMENTS THROUGH SATURDAY?

NOT YET FINAL FOUR

1. MIAMI (30-12) Looked about to start league of their own when LeBron left. (1)

2. BOSTON (30-9) Thank heaven for Clippers, who beat Heat, wounded LeBron. (2)

3. SAN ANTONIO (34-6) Lakers just went 9-1... and gained one game on them. (3)

4. LAKERS (30-11) They’ll never be young again, but they’re still really tall. (6)

POISED FOR MOVE, IN WHATEVER DIRECTION

5. ORLANDO (26-14) 9-0 run ends with loss in New Orleans, and Oklahoma City. (4)

6. OKLAHOMA CITY (27-13) Outrebounded 55 opponents last season, only 20 so far. (7)

7. UTAH (27-13) Whatever they miss, still grind it out: Jazz has won 25 of 35. (10)

8. CHICAGO (27-13) How good is Rose? Now it’s Chris Paul, Deron Williams and him. (8)

9. ATLANTA (26-15) Crawford, who knows he’s gone, averages 23 off bench in 7-1 run. (9)

10. DALLAS (26-13) Nice having you back: Out for nine games, Dirk ejected in return. (5)

11. NEW ORLEANS (25-16) Like Utah, but smaller: Started 11-1, lost 13 of 20, 7-2 since. (13)

WILL TRADE DEADLINE EVER GET HERE?

12. DENVER (23-16) It’s too late to panic. (12)

13. NEW YORK (22-17) Someone revive Spike: After going 19-6, lost at home to Kings. (11)

14. PORTLAND (21-20) Roy hopes to return next month...or April...after knee scopes. (14)

15. MEMPHIS (19-21) In salary drive, free agent Randolph averages 25 in 5-2 run. (15)

16. HOUSTON (18-23) 6-6 Hayes starts at center with 6-0 (as if) Brooks, 6-0 (ditto) Lowry. (16)

17. PHILADELPHIA (16-23) No longer Iggy’s team but Jrue’s, averaging 22 over last four. (17)

18. GOLDEN STATE (16-23) Keith Smart, rated longshot to stay, giving it his all. (18)

19. INDIANA (16-21) Going small without Hibbert … oops, he’s back … oops … (20)

20. MILWAUKEE (14-23) With their injuries, grit only gets you so far: Lost 10 of 14. (19)

21. PHOENIX (17-21) Things have been worse as they go 3-1. OK, not much worse. (22)

KYRIE IRVING DERBY?

22. CHARLOTTE (15-23) In virtual tie for No. 8, 6-4 with Silas, looking to dump Wallace. (23)

23. DETROIT (14-26) Veterans want out: Prince calls Rip’s DNP-CD: ‘Bufoonery.’ (25)

24. CLIPPERS (13-25) Baron’s comeback shows what (no) faith in someone can do. (21)

25. TORONTO (13-27) Bad sign: Lost eight of last 10 at home, two to Pistons. (24)

26. NEW JERSEY (10-30) There’s a place for them too, or most of them … Denver. (26)

27. SACRAMENTO (9-29) Cousins shows he’s worth trouble, or close, at 18-8 this month.(28)

28. MINNESOTA (10-31) Long way down to find best young forward tandem, Love-Beasley. (29)

29. WASHINGTON (11-27) Resounding thud: Wall averaging 15 this month, shooting 37%. (27)

30. CLEVELAND (8-32) Lost 22 of 23, last three by 55-22-28. (30)