By Ben Bolch Los Angeles Times

1:39 a.m. EDT, March 17, 2013

THANKS-A-LOT

1. MIAMI (50-14)     Heat would qualify for NCAA tournament on strength of winning streak alone. (1)

2. SAN ANTONIO (51-16)     Dept. of Labor inquiring about extra days off for Tim Duncan, Kawhi Leonard. (2)

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SHOUT OUTS!

3. OKLAHOMA CITY (49-17)     Stars sitting out so many fourth quarters they’ll need refresher before playoffs. (3)

4. DENVER (45-22)     Equating Dwight Howard to Kosta Koufos a while back an unintended compliment. (4)

5. MEMPHIS (44-21)     Grizzlies and Clippers could be headed for another epic first-round matchup. (6)

6. CLIPPERS (45-21)     Team that once had NBA’s best record could become biggest disappointment. (5)

7. INDIANA (40-26)     Pacers aren’t Fab even with Paul George, George Hill playing well against Lakers. (7)

8. NEW YORK (38-25)     Daylight savings time ushers in desperate hours for badly slumping Knicks. (8)

9. BROOKLYN (38-27)     There’s no faking portrayal of Kris Humphries in season of harsh reality. (9)

CARAMEL DE LITES

10. GOLDEN STATE (37-30)     Warriors’ playoff outlook goes from doubts of seed to seeds of doubt. (10)

11. ATLANTA (36-29)     F. Lee Bailey wouldn’t even take on defense of Dahntay Jones. (11)

12. LAKERS (35-32)     Kobe Bryant’s body parts are sponsored by Cyberdyne Systems. (13)

13. CHICAGO (36-29)     Bulls exhibit split personality with 42-point loss, 18-point win in two-day span. (12)

14. HOUSTON (36-30)     Rockets must get lucky on seven-game homestand to retain playoff spot. (15)

15. BOSTON (36-29)     Refrain in playoffs could be “Help me Rondo! Help, help me Rondo!” (14)

16. UTAH (34-32)     Cruel intentions? Timing of Raja Bell’s release guarantees no playoffs. (16)

17. MILWAUKEE (32-32)     Bucks wonder whether Heat will lose again before likely first-round matchup. (17)