The Times’ NBA rankings

SPURS INDEX

1. SAN ANTONIO (29-4) So much for West big guys: Beat Lakers, Dallas, OKC in five days. (2)

2. MIAMI (26-9) Everyone looks at offense, but key is No. 2, paint-protecting D. (4)

3. BOSTON (24-7) 94-14 on last four Christmas Eves before injuries hit ... as now. (1)

4. DALLAS (24-8) 1-2 with Dirk out after having missed 30 games in 13 seasons. (3)

5. ORLANDO (21-12) Turkoglu, who turns to pumpkin at city line, at 15-5-5 in 5-0 run. (8)

6. LAKERS (23-10) Who said they shouldn’t have given Bynum all that money again? (9)

TIME MAY COME BUT HASN’T YET

7. CHICAGO (22-10) Imagine them with Noah back and a shooting guard who can shoot. (10)

8. UTAH (23-11) Won 51 with young team in 2006-07... have been at same level since. (7)

9. OKLAHOMA CITY (23-12) Duh: Charles, Kenny, CWebb say they’re not in West top four. (5)

10. DENVER (19-13) At least he came back: Melo gone for a week after sister’s death. (12)

11. NEW ORLEANS (20-14) Lost 13 of 20 before winning in Boston, Washington. (11)

12. PORTLAND (17-16) If only guts were luck: Just went 4-2, beat Jazz home-and-home. (15)

13. HOUSTON (16-16) Post-Yao era: Offering his $17-million mill expiring deal as cap relief. (15)

14. ATLANTA (21-14) Have beaten two winning teams: sliding Magic, then-8-8 Knicks. (13)

15. NEW YORK (18-14) Someone here or in Toronto may get bargain as Suns set. (14)

DOWN SO LONG, THIS LOOKS UP

16. MEMPHIS (14-19) Oops: About to win third in row when Tyreke Evans hit half-court three. (19)

17. INDIANA (14-17) Hibbert averaged 16, shot 49% in November, 11, 41% in December. (17)

18. PHOENIX (14-17) Free Steve! Lash-out at refs in 76ers loss shows how low he is. (18)

19. PHILADELPHIA (13-20) Written off faster than any rookie ever, Turner gets 23-12 off bench. (20)

20. MILWAUKEE (13-18) Good thing it’s ensemble cast: Top six scorers missed 50 games. (16)

21. CLIPPERS (10-23) Interloper crashes dressing room as they turn up. No, not Donald. (24)

22. GOLDEN STATE (13-20) Still kind of a surprise: 3-2 since Curry’s return. (21)

23. CHARLOTTE (11-20) Augustin gets 27-28-12, no longer carrying Brown on his back. (22)

YOUR TIRED, POOR, HUDDLED MASSES

24. TORONTO (11-21) Late-starting Ed Davis’ 17-12 vs. Dallas shows he’s someone. (23)

25. DETROIT (11-22) Who knew he was still around? TMac averages 18 over four. (25)

26. MINNESOTA (9-25) Ridnour starts, Rubio’s their future, Jonny Flynn’s available. (29)

27. NEW JERSEY (9-25) Prokhorov hungers for a star, but they’re off Melo’s list. (26)

28. WASHINGTON (8-24) Knuckleheads’ Ball: Future hopes McGee, Blatche fight outside club. (27)

29. CLEVELAND (8-25) One Cavalier stepping up: Daniel Gibson, small body, major guts. (28)

30. SACRAMENTO (6-24) Evans’ last-second half-court three gets them third win in 25 games. (30)

-- Mark Heisler