With the All-Star break behind us, it’s time for teams to make their pushes for the playoffs (or Lottery) and for the superstars to really earn their money. Who has pole position heading down the stretch? Starting at the top…

1. Utah Jazz (35-19) — Shaq, J-Kidd, Gasol and even Bibby will get more attention and media coverage, but the biggest “over-the-hump” trade acquisition of the season might end up being Kyle Korver. He only hits a few shots on most nights, but they’re often some of the most important of the game. And his mere presence makes the Jazz harder to stop.

2. Boston Celtics (41-10) — Another inspiring KG story: Not only did the injured Garnett fly down to All-Star when he didn’t have to so he could fulfill an obligation he had with some kids in New Orleans, we spotted KG at the Tulane University gym working out like a madman trying to get ready for his Celtics’ return.

3. Detroit Pistons (39-14) — The 10-game win streak was snapped in embarrassing fashion at home against Orlando on Tuesday, but the Pistons did show they still know how to take Dwight Howard out of a ballgame.

4. Los Angeles Lakers (36-17) — They’re simply calling it “The Finger” in Hollywoodland. The Lakers’ season is riding on Kobe’s pinky, but he looked just fine while shredding the Hawks on Tuesday night.

5. Houston Rockets (33-20) — The League’s hottest team has won nine straight. They’re getting big-time contributions from guys like Carl Landry and Steve Novak, who were nowhere to be seen a few months ago, and no one even noticed when Steve Francis was shut down for the season.

6. New Orleans Hornets (36-15) — After dominating whenever he was on the court at the All-Star Game, Chris Paul (20.5 ppg, 10.9 apg, 2.6 spg) gears up for the real-deal MVP push. It’s not gonna be easy: CP gets started this week with Dallas, Houston and San Antonio on the schedule.

7. San Antonio Spurs (35-17) — Everyone is anticipating San Antonio’s big post-All-Star run. In Game 1 following the break, they choked the life out of Charlotte’s offense (65 points) and generally looked indestructible when they wanted to.

8. Denver Nuggets (33-20) — There are four guys on this team who could realistically give you 25 points on any given night: ‘Melo and A.I. do it in their sleep, while J.R. Smith and Linas Kleiza can put up numbers when they get on a roll.

9. Phoenix Suns (37-16) — They managed to maintain momentum after losing Shawn Marion, but now that you’re adding Shaq to the equation, factoring in the All-Star layoff and having to get Amare adjusted to a new role, will things change?

10. Orlando Magic (34-21) — Tuesday’s road win over Detroit was a very good sign for Orlando. If they can win games like that when Dwight Howard plays a bad game, they have a chance at going somewhere this spring.

11. Dallas Mavericks (35-18) — Everyone involved in the Kidd deal got what they wanted eventually (well, except maybe Devin and DeSagana), but how long will Jason Kidd freeze out Devean George? You know, just to send a message.

12. Golden State Warriors (32-20) — Monta Ellis is gonna get PAID this summer. Cold-Vicious has notched six games of 30-plus points this season and is averaging around 27 points a night in February.

13. Cleveland Cavaliers (29-24) — LeBron got the All-Star MVP. He’s in very good position to cop regular-season MVP (although our vote would go to Kobe). Finals MVP? That’s gonna be tough to get, especially playing with this group. And extra-especially if Danny Ferry is going to stand pat at the trade deadline.

14. Toronto Raptors (28-23) — Maybe the Raptors rank 28th in the League in rebounding because they don’t get enough practice. From what we learned in New Orleans, at least one of their guys does not miss shots.

15. Sacramento Kings (24-28) — Bibby is gone, Artest doesn’t wanna leave anymore, and Kevin Martin is now indisputably The Show. Unless Ron-Ron starts trippin’, of course.

16. Portland Trail Blazers (28-25) — Losers of five in a row. There is a lot of young talent here, but who’s the vet that will right the ship and bring them out of this slump? As it stands it has to either be Brandon Roy on the court or Nate McMillan from the bench.

17. Philadelphia 76ers (23-31) — They had won five in a row before Tuesday’s loss in Minnesota. Now that Larry Brown’s name has been connected to the job in Chicago, is Mo Cheeks automatically more comfortable?

18. Chicago Bulls (21-31) — If you’re John Paxson, do you try to re-sign Ben Gordon and Luol Deng and take another crack at contention with this group, or do you blow it up and start over?

19. Atlanta Hawks (21-29) — Which Mike Bibby will we get the rest of this season: The one who appeared mentally checked-out for a while in Sacramento, or a rejuvenated floor general playing like he was not so long ago?

20. New Jersey Nets (23-30) — We’re inexplicably excited to see Keith Van Horn back in the NBA. Will the Nets fans (the ones still left) give him a returning hero’s welcome or will they boo him? And what does he even look like now? Has anyone seen Van Horn lately? For all we know, he could be 280 pounds and bald.

21. Washington Wizards (25-28) — New rule: The Wizards can’t wear those gold and black costumes until they win three games in a row. In the meantime, we wouldn’t mind seeing the old Bullets throwbacks.

22. Los Angeles Clippers (17-33) — Elton Brand is reportedly still looking at coming back this season. The dedication to his organization is admirable, but at this point it’s probably not worth it.

23. Indiana Pacers (21-32) — Danny Granger is a lot like Andre Iguodala; a good player who has the world convinced he’s a franchise-type talent just because he gets a ton of looks. Last week we said the Pacers should make him the centerpiece. We’ll take that back. Granger (17.8 ppg, 5.8 rpg) should definitely be involved in this rebuilding process, but his ideal role is a second- or third-option guy.

24. New York Knicks (16-37) — We talked to Damon Stoudamire when the Spurs came to MSG before the All-Star break, and he said the Knicks should build around Jamal Crawford (20.3 ppg, 4.8 apg). That’s not a bad idea: JC is already to go-to guy, and he’s prepared to be the leader as well.

25. Charlotte Bobcats (19-35) — While Chris Paul and Deron Williams continue to set themselves apart, Ray Felton is quietly having a really good season/career. In Year 3 Felton is averaging 13.9 points, 6.8 assists and 1.2 steals a night. He’s a clear third behind Draft classmates CP and Deron, but still underrated.

26. Milwaukee Bucks (19-34) — Michael Redd must be counting down the days to this summer, when he gets to play on a good team.

27. Seattle Supersonics (13-38) — Even on their mid-season vacation, Kevin Durant and Jeff Green had to endure an ass-kicking in the Rookie Challenge. Those kids just can’t catch a break.

28. Miami Heat (9-42) — In three games with the Heat, Shawn Marion has averaged 20.3 points, 13 boards and 3 steals per. Miami hasn’t won in that span, but they’re playing much better ball, and find themselves in a win-win situation whether Matrix decides to become a free agent this season or not.

29. Minnesota Timberwolves (11-41) — Rashad McCants-to-Gerald Green was some of the best passing we’ve seen from the Wolves all season. How telling is it that G-Money didn’t choose to enlist his team’s starting PG to set him up in the dunk contest?

30. Memphis Grizzlies (14-39) — For a terrible team, the Griz were well-represented in New Orleans with Rudy Gay, Mike Conley and J.C. Navarro. And in hindsight, Mike Miller would have been a better pick for the Three-Point Shootout than Steve Nash.