By Ben Bolch Los Angeles Times

8:35 p.m. AKST, February 9, 2013
YEAR OF THE DRAGON


1. OKLAHOMA CITY (38-12) Resting Durant, Westbrook combine for 0 points this week in 4th quarters. (1)

2. MIAMI (33-14) LeBron James is so good, he makes even the fans around him better. (2)

3. SAN ANTONIO (39-12) Winning streak that goes to 11 and ends there approved by Nigel Tufnel. (3)

4. CLIPPERS (35-17) Trey Thompkins’ feelings hurt by reports that team is back to full strength. (4)

A TIGER CAN BE A MATCH FOR THE DRAGON

5. NEW YORK (32-16) Knicks ask to be stranded in Minneapolis so they can keep playing T-Wolves. (5)

6. DENVER (33-18)  Homecourt edge in playoffs would equal a bye, goodbye to foes. (11)

7. MEMPHIS (31-18) Unlike post office, Grizzlies keep delivering on Saturdays at FedEx Forum. (7)

8. GOLDEN STATE (30-21) Warriors’ slide reminds fans of pretty much every season in franchise history. (6)

9. INDIANA (31-20) Green to participate in dunk contest, remind rest of NBA he’s still here. (9)

10. CHICAGO (30-20) Rose’s return is so big in this town it warrants a two-word press release. (8)

11. BROOKLYN (29-21) It may not be long before Blatche is booed on the road and at home. (10)

12. ATLANTA (27-22) Defense against Vasquez is grievous as Hornets guard gets triple-double. (12)

SNAKES STILL SLITHERING AROUND

13. UTAH (28-24) Jazz can’t win big with Carlos Boozer or, apparently, without him. (13)

14. BOSTON (26-23) League’s elite point guards want Celtics to stay mum about recent run. (17)

15. MILWAUKEE (25-24) Boylan learning what Scott Skiles already knows: This team isn’t all that. (14)

16. HOUSTON (28-24) NASA petitions Defense Dept. to send representatives to help Rockets. (15)