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1. Lakers (10-0)

It was too easy with Shaq, so they’ll give teams a chance for a while. (1)

2. New York (8-4)

After 6-4 start, they drill Hawks by 21 in Atlanta to pop that bubble. (6)

3. Atlanta (11-2)

Beating teams by 2.6 points a game, compared to the Lakers’ 15.7. (2)

4. Seattle (10-3)

Baker scores 20, charms everyone. After Kemp, he could run for governor. (4)

5. Portland (8-4)

Of their first 14 games, Rider will have played nine, been suspended five. (5)

6. San Antonio (7-5)

Unfortunately, the Spurs’ Texas Towers are surrounded by 10 grass huts. (3)

7. Charlotte (8-3)

Amazing offensive team, scores on 18 of last 19 possessions vs. Heat. (10)

8. Orlando (8-4)

It’s enough to make Fitch weep--Outlaw scores 58 points in three starts. (18)

9. Phoenix (7-2)

Danny Ainge says plan before game in Portland was: ‘Pray for rebounds.’ (8)

10. Miami (8-4)

After Hornets’ 40-point fourth quarter, Riley may hold 24-hour practice. (11)

11. Chicago (7-5)

When Pippen returns, might not be enough left of MJ to put in a cigar box. (9)

12. Indiana (5-6)

Bird, legendary trash talker, amazes friends, stays cool in 2-5 start. (19)

13. Houston (6-5)

Rockets start streak as injury gives them vacation from Charlie’s mouth. (15)

14. Minnesota (6-5)

Can’t handle physical teams, but their kids are so good, it’s scary. (16)

15. Milwaukee (7-5)

After a 7-0 preseason, 4-1 start, turning into the Bucks again. (7)

16. New Jersey (7-4)

Last win put them month and two days ahead of last season’s pace. (17)

17. Utah (6-6)

Jazz shot 50% last season, at 43% now. See if you can guess why. (12)

18. Cleveland (6-6)

Fratello supposedly revved up offense, but they’re at 85, last again. (13)

19. Vancouver (6-7)

Shareef breaking out, averaging 22.4 points, in top 30 in rebounds. (21)

20. Boston (6-6)

Was this their best week in the ‘90s or did it just seem that way? (23)

21. Washington (4-9)

Not that it’s time to panic--but they even trail the Celtics! (14)

22. Detroit (5-8)

Hill’s down to 35%. They don’t just need Dumars back, they need MJ. (20)

23. Sacramento (4-7)

Eddie Jordan on Richmond: ‘I can see he’s not consistently giving 100%.’ (25)

24. Philadelphia (3-7)

Iverson in top five in scoring, top 20 in shooting, top 12 in assists. (22)

25. Clippers (1-11)

That really hurts: Billy Crystal spotted sitting courtside in Phoenix. (26)

26. Toronto (1-11)

There goes neighborhood: Isiah quits, Damon wants out, Walker . . . (27)

27. Golden State (1-10)

Just when things were their bleakest, they spotted Mavericks on schedule! (29)

28. Dallas (3-9)

Three-game win streak now ranks with miracle of the loaves and fishes. (24)

29. Denver (0-11)

They’re looking forward to their first meeting with the Mavericks. (28)

GAME OF THE WEEK

LAKERS AT MIAMI

* When--Tuesday. * Time--5 p.m. * TV--Ch. 9

* Story line--This is the Lakers’ last game against a team that currently has a winning record until Dec. 5 (Spurs at the Forum), by which time Shaq should be back. The Lakers have the deeper squad, but Pat Riley teams defend their home court like banshees. The Lakers will be up, remembering last season’s heated meeting here, which, Van Exel joked later, the referees fixed. Funny, no one at league headquarters got it.