The Times’ NBA rankings

DID WE LOSE SOMEONE ELSE?

1. Lakers (55-20) To Lakers employees I told there was no way they’d catch Spurs: Way. (1)

2. Chicago (56-20) Bulls 18-5 in only games Noah played with Boozer . . . a 64-win pace. (2)

3. Miami (53-23) Celtics lead season series 3-0 with one left in Miami April 10. (3)

4. Boston (52-23) Shaq expected back this week, they hope, sore Achilles and all. (5)

OTHERS INCLUDE . . .

5. San Antonio (57-19) Timmy, Tony, Manu back -- for Nos. 5, 6 in losing streak. (4)

6. Oklahoma City (50-25) Three 50-win seasons in a row with starters ages 21-22-22-26-26. (7)

7. Dallas (53-22) Mavericks re-arm, er, regroup for next time they see Lakers. (8)

8. Denver (46-29) 14-6 since liberation, er, trade. Now to see how it looks vs. Lakers. (9)

9. Orlando (48-28) Still No. 1 in threes but total, percentage both off 10%. (6)

10. Memphis (44-33) I don’t even know who you are: No. 24 in defense year ago, 14 now. (12)

11. Portland (44-32) Don’t know whether to rebuild or reload until they see about Oden. (10)

12. New Orleans (43-33) Without West, Monty muses about twin towers, or suiting up. (11)

13. Houston (40-36) In strong finish for lame duck with deal ending, Adelman goes 14-5. (13)

14. Atlanta (44-32) Starting six-year, $120-million deal, Johnson down 2.8 points a game. (16)

15. Philadelphia (40-37) Philadelphia Magazine before start of their season: “Who cares?” (14)

16. Phoenix (37-38) So much for deferring rebuilding for playoff push Sarver wanted. (15)

ALSO-RANS/REST OF EAST PLAYOFF RACE

17. New York (37-38) Another wish granted? May still get Heat matchup they wanted. (23)

18. Indiana (35-42) Dunleavy back from broken thumb for drive to 38 wins, playoff berth. (17)

19. Clippers (29-47) Forget being young, no closer, etc. Better start to D it up. (18)

20. Golden State (32-44) Udoh showed some game at Baylor, got late start here, showed zip. (19)

21. Utah (36-40) What’s a great point guard worth? Ask Ty Corbin, now 5-17. (20)

22. Charlotte (32-43) Is Pollin’s firing him the reason MJ isn’t seeking financial backers? (22)

23. Milwaukee (31-45) Indiana loss forces admission playoff race is over, even in the East. (21)

24. Detroit (26-49) Hamilton back starting, still has it at 33, gets 23-19-30. (24)

BLACK HOLE OF WHEREVER

25. New Jersey (23-52) D-Will makes surprise return vs. Knicks, falls on bad wrist. (25)

26. Sacramento (21-54) Advisory: At this pace here, you’ll have to phone your scores in. (27)

27. Toronto (20-55) Kids Bayless, James Johnson get shot since they can’t do any worse. (26)

28. Washington (19-56) How to rebuild: Take Wall and 2-3 others, launch rest into space. (30)

29. Minnesota (17-60) They’re sure Rubio’s coming in fall. Magic might not be enough. (28)

ONE NIGHT WITH YOU . . .

30. Cleveland (15-60) It’s not title Gilbert promised before LeBron, but they beat Heat. (29)