Last week's ranking in parentheses. Records through Friday.
1. Lakers, 18-3 (1): Real tests finally here, whether for them or teams that get in their way.
2. Celtics, 18-4 (3): Skeptics say grinding everything out is hard - as they grind out nine in row.
3. Suns, 16-7 (5): Last unbeaten team at home. In real good news, have played only eight there.
4. Nuggets, 16-7 (6): Would be 20-3 except for losses to Pistons, Bobcats, Timberwolves, Clippers.
5. Magic, 17-6 (2): Shaq and Kobe could fight and win at same time, but they're not Shaq and Kobe.
6. Cavaliers, 16-7 (4): Half-step slower on road and already slow enough: 0-2 in Memphis, Houston.
7. Hawks, 16-6 (7): Eureka! Josh Smith, career 27 percent 3-point shooter, has tried three all season.
8. Mavericks, 16-7 (8): Mending his broken heart, Nowitzki averaging career-high 27 at age 31.
9. Jazz, 13-9 (9): Kyle Korver still out, but C.J. Miles returns with 22 off bench as they beat Magic.
10. Rockets, 13-9 (12): With one guy over 6-9, they're No. 2 in points in paint, second-chance points.
11. Spurs, 11-9 (11): Manu Ginobili, missing one-third of Big Three, shot 37 percent, averaged 13 until getting 20-22.
12. Trail Blazers, 14-10 (10): Injured guys could play the rest even in a scrimmage, if they could scrimmage.
13. Thunder, 12-9 (14): Reality test: Of next eight, five on road, seven against winning teams.
14. Heat, 11-10 (13): Good news/bad news: Home for six in row/started with loss to Mavericks.
15. Bucks, 10-11 (15): Where's rest of East? Good on top, but Bucks are No. 6 on 40-win pace.
16. Hornets, 10-12 (19): Won first three after Chris Paul's return, coming from 16 down in Minnesota.
17. Pistons, 10-12 (21): Doing it hard way: Just went 3-0 with Hamilton, Prince, Gordon out.
18. Bobcats, 9-12 (20): Doc Rivers: Before Stephen Jackson arrived, Celtics sat back and let any of them shoot.
19. Clippers, 9-12 (22): One game last week. If only they were all like this until Blake Griffin arrives.
20. Grizzlies, 9-13 (18): Rudy Gay, restricted free agent in career year. Will they ever re-sign one?
21. Kings, 9-12 (16): Sacramento Bee: Only Big O, MJ, LeBron ever beat Tyreke Evans' 20-5-5 as rookies.
22. Raptors, 10-15 (23): If this is all they're capable of, Chris Bosh should be good to go in summer.
23. Knicks, 8-15 (27): Krypton-Not: Just went 5-1 with Nate Robinson, NBA's biggest hot dog, benched.
24. Wizards, 7-13 (25): With none of Big Three what he was, Earl Boykins tops fourth-quarter scoring.
25. Pacers, 7-13 (24): Finally got Troy Murphy, Mike Dunleavy back, just lost Danny Granger.
26. Warriors, 7-15 (26): 3-5 under Keith Smart, subbing for Nellie, who's home with pneumonia.
27. Bulls, 8-13 (17): Vinny Watch chills after beating Warriors, for a day or two anyway.
28. 76ers, 5-18 (28): Good news/bad news: First sellout sees AI's return/losing streak now 12.
29. Nets, 2-21 (30): Where did we put bubble wrap? Rejoining practice, Yi Jianlian gets 50-stitch cut.
30. Timberwolves, 3-20 (29): Kevin Love averages 15-10 off bench in first four. T'wolves even win one.