Mark Heisler’s NBA rankings

Rk. TEAM (Record) Comment

ANYONE SEE THE LAKERS?

1. BOSTON (23-5) On 14-0 run, got to be Christmas warmup act for Heat-Lakers. (2)

2. SAN ANTONIO (25-4) On 73-win pace, until losing in Orlando. (1)

3. DALLAS (23-5) So much for Eastie Boys: Won back-to-back in Miami, Orlando.(5)

4. MIAMI (23-9) Ask the Lakers if they’re for real or can beat bigger teams. (3)

5. OKLAHOMA CITY (21-10) Oops: Went 14-4 before giving up 113, 112 in losses to Suns, Knicks. (6)

6. UTAH (21-9) If Jefferson isn’t what he was, improved Millsap takes up slack. (7)

7. ORLANDO (18-12) Lost eight of nine before new guys help them beat Spurs, Celtics. (10)

THERE YOU ARE!

8. LAKERS (21-9) If they get better from this point, it’ll be first time since Showtime. (4)

9. CHICAGO (19-10) 2-2 since Noah left, with Knicks beating them on Christmas. (9)

10. NEW ORLEANS (17-12) Remember when he just took open shots as Laker? Ariza at 36%. (9)

11. DENVER (16-12) What kept you? Just won in San Antonio with KMart finally back. (8)

12. ATLANTA (19-12) Johnson, supposed to be out 3 more weeks, averages 18 in 3-1 run. (11)

13. NEW YORK (18-12) After 0-3 swoon with loss to Cavs, came back to beat Thunder, Bulls. (13)

14. PORTLAND (15-15) Let’s see, who can they rebuild around: Aldridge, Matthews... (16)

15. HOUSTON (14-15) Like that Lakers series: 4-0 since losing Yao, three on the road. (17)

16. MILWAUKEE (12-16) No-names beat Lakers, Kings with Jennings out. Boykins gets 22-19. (20)

17. INDIANA (13-14) Smallest Ball: Collison, Ford on floor at the end in upending Hornets. (15)

18. PHOENIX (13-15) At least Sarver, who kept taking on money, finally knows it’s over. (14)

19. MEMPHIS (12-17) GM Chris Wallace says if you want one of these guys, just call. (19)

HAPPY WE’LL BE, UNDER THE SEA

20. PHILADELPHIA (11-18) Collins getting over: Gave up 100 three times since Thanksgiving. (21)

21. GOLDEN STATE (11-18) Best player flying under radar: Ellis averaging 28 this month. (23)

22. CHARLOTTE (9-19) Good luck, Paul Silas: No one has picked up where Brown left off yet. (22)

23. TORONTO (10-19) If only USC guys just played Lakers: DeRozan gets 19 in one quarter. (24)

24. CLIPPERS (8-22) Larry Brown talk everywhere — and it will pick up if they don’t. (21)

25. DETROIT (10-19) Accused of quitting after benching, Hamilton gets 35 vs. Raptors. (26)

26. NEW JERSEY (9-21) Hurt or had his feelings hurt: Lopez averaging 6.2 rebounds. (25)

27. WASHINGTON (7-20) Welcome, $118-Million Man: Lewis scores eight in Wizards debut. (27)

28. CLEVELAND (8-21) Learning who’s who without LeBron: Once-hot prospect Hickson cools. (28)

29. MINNESOTA (6-24) Like Griffin, Love can be free in 2013, so they better pick it up. (29)

30. SACRAMENTO (5-22) After 2-21 plummet, GM Petrie, who built power there, in trouble too. (30)