The Times’ NBA rankings

RANKINGS, COMMENTS THROUGH SATURDAY

CELTIC INDEX

1. BOSTON (15-4) Legit top team: Led by double figures in 15 of their games. (1)

2. SAN ANTONIO (16-3) Manu looking like Kobe, Jefferson looking like Manu. (3)

3. DALLAS (16-4) 13-2 since 3-2 start with 12-point measuring-stick win at Utah. (3)

4. ORLANDO (15-5) Even Superman gets cold: Loss to Bucks minus Dwight ends 10-1 run. (5)

5. UTAH (15-6) 15-4 since 0-2 start with measuring-stick win vs. Lakers.(7)

LAKER/HEAT INDEX

6. LAKERS (14-6) Pau staying out there until he drops or they get Phil a backup.(2)

7. MIAMI (13-8) One of your more turbulent 4-0 weeks. (12)

8. NEW ORLEANS (13-6) Attendance craters. League may take over franchise. (6)

9. OKLAHOMA CITY (13-7) Uh oh: Durant lasts five games, leaves again with sore knee. (8)

10. DENVER (12-6) What you’d call an optimist: George Karl seeks extension.(9)

11. ATLANTA (13-8) Did something change? Won five in row, two without Joe Johnson. (10)

12. CHICAGO (10-8) Not yet Thibodeau’s Boston D: Gave up 107 a game in last six. (11)

13. NEW YORK (11-9) 0-1 since 8-2 start. Last time they were this high, Riley was coach.(17)

14. PHOENIX (10-9) Looks like new level: Not falling apart, not likely to go higher. (14)

15. INDIANA (9-9) Behind Pacers’ push: No. 8 in defense, No. 23 last season.(18)

SUB .500 INDEX

16. MILWAUKEE (7-12) Bogut gets 31-18 in win vs. Magic after Bucks go 1-4 without him. (20)

17. HOUSTON (7-13) Turning it around after 3-10 start but better step it up. (25)

18. PORTLAND (8-11) Wheels come off: 3-9 since Roy began having knee problems. (13)

18. MEMPHIS (8-12) Who knew Buckeye from 2006-7 team to break out would be Conley? (15)

20. TORONTO (8-11) There’s something happening here, what it is ain’t exactly clear.(21)

21. GOLDEN STATE (8-11) As Smart said, we want to be a surprise in April: Just went 1-7. (16)

22. CLEVELAND (7-12) You know that ear-to-ear smile Mark Cuban said Dan Gilbert had? (19)

23. CHARLOTTE (7-12) Jackson ejected, suspended, gets 25 in return -- lone win in 1-4 skid. (23)

24. WASHINGTON (6-12) Wall back looking shaky, or this would be rookie race of all time. (23)

25. NEW JERSEY (6-14) Farmar averages 20, eight assists with Harris hurt. Nets go 0-3 anyway. (24)

26. PHILADELPHIA (6-14) May be least complementary duo ever. With Iguodala back, Turner sits. (30)

UP PERISCOPE INDEX

27. MINNESOTA (5-15) Clippers of the North: More good young players than wins. (26)

28. CLIPPERS (4-16) If they mess it up with this guy, Stern really should contract. (27)

29. DETROIT (6-14) Prince in contract year, gets 30 twice in salary drive for new team. (28)

30. SACRAMENTO (4-14) Westphal: It’s not a crime to lose, but it is a crime not to work. (29)