Top to Bottom : CAPSULES AND RANKINGS

1. Chicago (6-0)

Since ’95 opener, they’re 78-10.

*

2. Houston (5-0)

The NBA hath no wrath like Barkley motivated.

*

3. Seattle (3-2)

Still hung over from near-title.

*

4. Utah (2-2)

As usual, on pace for 55 victories.

*

5. Atlanta (3-2)

3-0 on Coast swing vs. three ’96 playoff teams.

*

6. Miami (4-1)

Even with Alonzo still in Mourning for Juwan.

*

7. Detroit (4-1)

Unbeaten till Bulls walked all over them.

*

8. Lakers (3-2)

Curtains going up a little slow on Showtime II.

*

9. New York (4-1)

3-0 on road against three ’96 lottery teams.

*

10. Orlando (2-1)

Hardaway’s legs hurt. Next, DisneyWorld closes?

*

11. Cleveland (3-1)

Vitaly Potapenko: 12-point, six-rebound average.

*

12. Washington (2-3)

Howard: 18 points a game in first four.

*

13. Milwaukee (4-1)

Signs of a renaissance.

*

14. Portland (3-3)

Despite Rider flu.

*

15. Toronto (2-2)

Damon Stoudamire, 22 points a game.

*

16. Charlotte (3-2)

Has to be a mirage.

*

17. Indiana (1-3)

Brown demotes point guard Travis Best.

*

18. San Antonio (1-3)

Without Robinson, instant expansion team.

*

19. Minnesota (2-2)

Lost to Lakers after leading by 15.

*

20. Clippers (2-2)

I’m speechless.

*

21. Sacramento (2-3)

Mahmoud replaces Tyus; turnovers mount.

*

22. Philadelphia (2-3)

Still game’s most talented bad team.

*

23. Dallas (1-4)

Toni Braxton must have been in town.

*

24. Phoenix (0-5)

It’s not nice to get Barkley mad, just inevitable.

*

25. Denver (2-3)

Lost to Clippers at home. Bad sign.

*

26. Boston (1-4)

Is this fun or what?

*

27. Golden State (1-4)

Lost to Clippers at home. Bad sign.

*

28. New Jersey (0-3)

Denizens of East Coast, now stinking up Far East.

*

29. Vancouver (0-5)

Losing by 19 a game. Bad sign.

*

GAME OF THE WEEK

LAKERS at HOUSTON

* When--Tuesday. Time--5 p.m. TV--TNT.

* Storyline--The first meeting of a new Western archrivalry, spiced by the presence of Charles Barkley, who noted of the Lakers in preseason, “They sure talk a lot.” The Rockets are small (6-10, 6-5, 6-4 on front line), but their three stars meshed from the get-go. The Lakers have superior talent, size, youth and depth but are still trying to put them together.