The Times' NBA rankings

2. MIAMI (12-5) Washington, New York are double trouble in week LeBron James nets triple-double. (1)

HOPING FOR A PLUS-ONE SCENARIO

3. SAN ANTONIO (16-4) Leaked Halloween photo of Tim Duncan, Tony Parker ends spooky stretch. (3)

4. MEMPHIS (14-3) Any chance the Lakers live to regret that Marc Gasol trade? (4)

5. NEW YORK (14-4) Knicks suddenly might be favored in playoff rematch against Miami. (6)

6. BROOKLYN (11-7) Gerald Wallace flops harder than "Superbabies: Baby Geniuses 2." (5)

7. CLIPPERS (12-6) Clipper Darrell is an A-lister while Jack Nicholson roots for L.A.'s "B" team. (7)

STILL IN THE MIX FOR A NEW YEAR'S DAY GAME

8. BOSTON (10-9) It's a slip-and-fall kind of week for players who collect triple-doubles.(8)

9. ATLANTA (11-5) No need for a timeline for rebuilding when Hawks are already back. (10)

10. GOLDEN STATE (12-7) Warriors glad Brooklyn fan Mariano Rivera didn't enter game in final seconds. (11)

11. PHILADELPHIA (11-8) Andrew Bynum's Pop-A-Shot game better than any recent post moves. (12)

12. CHICAGO (10-8) Richard Hamilton's injury makes trainer's room busier than runways at O'Hare. (18)

13. UTAH (11-10) Eight players scoring in double figures seems like overkill against lowly Toronto. (13)

14. DENVER (10-10) Andre Miller entertaining offers to portray Richard Pryor after retirement. (15)

15. INDIANA (10-10) Back to drawing board after Pacers starters outplayed by Denver's reserves. (14)

WOULD SETTLE FOR THE BEEF 'O' BRADY'S BOWL

16. HOUSTON (9-9) Moneyballsy GM Darryl Morey has a soft spot in his heart for Paul DePodesta. (16)

17. LAKERS (9-11) At least Magic Johnson will get to spend May and June at Dodger Stadium. (9)

18. MILWAUKEE (9-9) Drew Gooden getting as much use these days as a Model-T Ford. (17)

19. MINNESOTA (9-9) Ricky Rubio's impending return could nudge Timberwolves into relevance. (21)

20. DALLAS (9-10) Clippers Lite spending plenty of time on wrong side of .500. (19)

21. CHARLOTTE (7-11) Bobcats' quick fade is otherwise known as regression toward the mean. (20)

22. PORTLAND (8-11) Tip for GM Neil Olshey: Trips to nearby Willamette Valley can relieve stress. (23)

23. PHOENIX (7-13) Season ticket-holders want to know if they can get their money back too. (22)

GETTING CHIPS AND DIP READY FOR VIEWING PARTY

24. ORLANDO (7-12) Season highlight tape will include victory over Dwight Howard on endless loop. (24)

25. SACRAMENTO (6-12) Self-deprecating DeMarcus Cousins ordered to attend Tony Robbins seminar. (27)

26. DETROIT (6-15) Watching these guys play in person, Ben Wallace glad he opted for retirement. (25)

27. NEW ORLEANS (5-13) Calling team the Big Easy would pay homage to cultural heritage, losing ways. (26)

28. CLEVELAND (4-16) Social services keeping close tabs on rookies' treatment of baby dolls. (28)

29. TORONTO (4-16) Raptors may be willing to entertain Jose Calderon-for-Bernie Bickerstaff trade. (29)

COULD BE BOWL ELIGIBLE BY 2020

30. WASHINGTON (2-14) Think it can't get any worse? There's four months left in season. (30)