The Times’ NBA rankings

Last week’s ranking in parentheses, statistics are through Friday’s games:

1. ATLANTA: Best record in NBA. Big-time wins over Houston, Cleveland are part of a six-game win streak. (4)

2. GOLDEN STATE: League-best 25-2 record at home by outscoring opponents by 15.6 points a game. (1)

3. PORTLAND: Lost starting guard Wesley Matthews (Achilles’ tendon) for rest of season. Still had six-game win streak. (6)

4. MEMPHIS: Grizzlies appear to be going through the motions, going 3-3 in last six games, struggling against Lakers. (2)

5. CLEVELAND: LeBron James said “I suck� after season-high 9 turnovers. He’s averaging career-high 4.2 turnovers a game. (3)

6. HOUSTON: James Harden MVP leader? Recorded his third triple-double of the season. Has 27 30-plus point games. (5)

7. SAN ANTONIO: Good to be home. The Spurs have won 11 of their last 12 in San Antonio, four straight overall. (11)

8. CLIPPERS: Still hanging on with 7-4 record while Blake Griffin recovers from right elbow surgery. (8)

9. CHICAGO: Injuries taking a toll. Jimmy Butler (elbow), Taj Gibson (ankle) join Derrick Rose (knee) on injured list. (9)

10. TORONTO: Kyle Lowry’s return after missing three games from injuries couldn’t stop seventh loss in eight games. (7)

11. OKLAHOMA CITY: Russell Westbrook dropped career highs in points (49), rebounds (16) while wearing mask. (12)

12. DALLAS: Contenders or pretenders? Mavericks are 3-10 against the five teams ahead of them in the West. (10)

13. CHARLOTTE: Moved to seventh in East after fourth consecutive victory. Al Jefferson has 19 double-doubles. (19)

14. WASHINGTON: Wizards are 2-1 since Bradley Beal returned from leg injury . . . but still 2-7 in last nine games. (17)

15. MILWAUKEE: After season-high four-game losing streak, all on the road, Bucks retire Bob Dandridge’s number? (13)

16. NEW ORLEANS: Anthony Davis returns from injury to post 39 points, 13 rebounds, 8 blocks. But a bad loss to Boston. (14)

17. INDIANA: Starters combined for 49 points, five reserves combined for 49 in win over Bulls. Pacers have won 10 of 12. (18)

18. PHOENIX: Finally won close game after losing NBA-high four games at buzzer; keeping playoff hopes alive in West. (16)

19. MIAMI: Playoff spot tenuous with injuries to Dwyane Wade, Luol Deng, Mario Chalmers and Goran Dragic. (15)

20. BOSTON: Isaiah Thomas has had six games of 20 points or more since he was acquired from Phoenix. (21)

21. DETROIT: Andre Drummond just had his 14th career 20-plus rebound game and he’s only 21. (20)

22. BROOKLYN: Deron Williams averaged 10.5 points, 20% shooting in two losses; Joe Johnson is cold as well. (22)

23. UTAH: Jazz has held opponents to NBA-low 83 points a game since All-Star break and has gone 6-2. (23)

24. DENVER: Players called “quitters,� not “grownups,� in wake of Brian Shaw firing. Won first two after Shaw let go. (25)

26. SACRAMENTO: Kings have gone 1-6 on road in last month, giving up 108.6 points a game. Five games left on trip. (26)
25. ORLANDO: Victor Oladipo had 30-plus points in consecutive games. Elfrid Payton’s 12 assists tied career high. (24)

27. LAKERS: May not be tanking but have lost four straight. Rookie point guard Jordan Clarkson a bright spot. (27)

28. MINNESOTA: Rookie of the year? Andrew Wiggins averaged 20.9 points in last seven games, 15.9 for the season. (28)

29. PHILADELPHIA: Worst offense in NBA, averaging 90.6 points a game. Chasing Knicks for worst record. (29)

30. NEW YORK: Over a 2-10 span, the Knicks have shot 40.6% from the field, 29.1% from the three-point line. (30)