Charting the rise and fall of NBA teams is essential to good handicapping. Thus the explosion of power rankings on the Web. My current Top 5 is a blend of John Hollinger’s stat-based rankings and recent ATS performance.

1. Houston Rockets: Seventeen straight wins at press time, 14-1 ATS in their past 15 outings. Fifth in the Hollinger Rankings.

2. Los Angeles Lakers: The best team in the league right now in terms of quality. Scorching hot at 13-2 since the Pau Gasol trade, but may have peaked at 2-3 ATS in their last five.

3. Utah Jazz: After a 5-4 SU and 3-6 ATS run to close out February, Utah has won and covered three straight. Hollinger ranks the Jazz sixth overall.

4. Orlando Magic: Were down to Carlos Arroyo and Hedo Turkoglu (!) at point guard, but getting healthy now. Orlando is 8-2 SU and ATS in the last 10 games and seventh in Hollinger.

5. New Orleans Hornets: No. 8 on the Hollinger list, yet a title contender and 4-1 SU and ATS in their last five.