By Rick Morris
March 11, 2008 3:12pm CDT

All stats referenced are over the last 10 games unless otherwise noted.

Atlanta Hawks: Fantasy owners hoping for increased scoring production out of Mike Bibby after his acquisition by the Hawks are no doubt disappointed (11.8 PPG, as opposed to 13.5 PPG in Sacramento). Given the multiplicity of available scoring options in Atlanta, this was probably to be expected, but so too was an uptick in Bibby's assist totals, and here he has not disappointed (6.4 APG, as opposed to 5.0 APG with the Kings). On the other side of the coin, being relieved of quarterbacking duties to a larger extent has agreed with Joe Johnson's scoring totals (23.4 PPG lately with 21.0 PPG on the season). But somehow, his assists are also up (6.2 APG lately, 5.4 APG on the season).

Boston Celtics: Kendrick Perkins has really come through for his owners on the boards of late (8.9 RPG, up from 6.1 RPG on the year). And while the overwhelming media focus is (understandably) on the Celtics' "Big Three," Rajon Rando is another complementary part performing his role so much better recently (6.9 APG, up from 5.1 APG on the season).

Charlotte Bobcats: No Gerald Wallace? No problem for Raymond Felton owners, who are seeing their point guard post better assist totals (8.5 APG, up from 7.1 APG this year) and scoring tallies (17.1 PPG, up from 14.4 PPG this year) recently. With a less crowded wing rotation for the Hornets, Jason Richardson is also getting a chance to shine offensively of late (24.8 PPG, up from 20.9 PPG this year).

Chicago Bulls: The uptick in Larry Hughes' play that started early in the second half of the season has continued strongly through his fresh start in Chicago. Compare his total Cleveland and Chicago production for the year: 12.3 PPG in Cleveland/16.0 PPG in Chicago; 2.4 APG in Cleveland (as a point guard much of the time!)/4.1 APG in Chicago; .377 FG% in Cleveland/.403 FG% in Chicago. Conversely, Drew Gooden's before-and-after numbers are quite steady, with the exception of his rebounding tally (8.3 RPG in Cleveland, 9.0 RPG in Chicago). Although his sample size with the Bulls is still quite small and the margin is narrow (.2 RPG), it's surprising to contemplate that Gooden is actually rebounding at a greater pace with the Bulls than Ben Wallace was.

leveland Cavaliers: Lebron James is averaging 34.4 PPG recently, up substantially from his season total of 30.9 PPG. The reason? The team's recent mega-trade did not add enough parts to provide for a consistent #2 scoring option in the absence of Zydrunas Ilgauskas or Daniel Gibson – both of whom are currently injured. His assist tally is actually up 0.1 APG recently, attesting to his uncommon ability to create plays even when none appear to exist. Delonte West is picking up a small bit of the slack offensively, averaging 10.1 PPG in the eight games since the trade, as opposed to 6.8 PPG in the 35 games he played in Seattle. West is also up in assists since the deal (4.5 APG as opposed to 3.2 APG prior to the deal). Both James and West figure to benefit greatly in their distribution numbers once the team is back to full strength in the weeks ahead. Reduced minutes for Ben Wallace since the deal (30.5 MPG as opposed to 32.5 MPG with the Bulls) have cut into his rebounding totals (8.4 RPG since the trade, 8.8 RPG before the trade), indicating that the return of Z will further depress his totals on the glass when the minutes dip further.

Detroit Pistons: For a player more prone to even, consistent fantasy production, Chauncey Billups is having an uncharacteristically dramatic spike in his scoring lately (20.8 PPG, up from 17.9 PPG over the season). Although nicked-up at the moment, so too is Tayshaun Prince (16.8 PPG recently, up a full 3.0 PPG from his year-to-date numbers).

Indiana Pacers: Jamaal Tinsley's injury has created an opportunity that Travis Diener has seized in terms of performing a vital distribution role on the offense (6.2 APG lately, up 2.9 APG from his season average). Kareem Rush is also making a bid for a long-term spot in the Pacer rotation with his recent scoring (11.4 PPG).

Miami Heat: From the "Truth is Stranger than Fiction File" – Shawn Marion's scoring numbers have actually decreased since the trade (14.5 PPG in Miami, 15.8 PPG in Phoenix). The "Matrix" has some serious progression to the mean coming to him in the weeks remaining, especially with Dwyane Wade missing the rest of the season. Meanwhile, Dorrell Wright has continued to progress somewhat in his scoring (9.5 PPG recently, 7.9 PPG on the season).

Milwaukee Bucks: The Milwaukee offense has improved across-the-board recently, and while his more celebrated teammates are receiving more attention for their roles, Desmond Mason has quietly improved recently, as well (12.0 PPG, up from 9.4 PPG on the year). Mo Williams' passing numbers are taking a hit, though, with his recent assist total of 4.8 APG down a full assist-and-a-half from his season average.

New Jersey Nets: Marcus Williams is reacting well to being out of Jason Kidd's shadow, recently doubling his year-to-date numbers in scoring (11.9 PPG) and assists (5.4 APG). Nenad Krstic's putrid year-to-date rebounding numbers (4.2 RPG) haven't improved much lately (4.9 RPG).

New York Knicks: Jamal Crawford continues to fuel the Knicks offense lately at 23.0 PPG. More surprising has been the recent production of Nate Robinson (16.2 PPG, up from 12.6 PPG this year).

Orlando Magic: When can 13.6 RPG be a letdown? When those are the recent numbers posted by Dwight Howard, compared to 14.5 RPG this season! On a team known for the occasional struggles with distribution, Hedo Turkoglu is actually most noteworthy of late for averaging one more assist per game of late (5.8 APG).

Philadelphia 76ers: Willie Green has provided the Sixers with a second reliable scoring option at the wing as of late (15.5 PPG, up from 13.1 PPG this year). Likewise, points are coming from the wing via the extremely youthful Thaddeus Young, who has not hit the "rookie wall," but is gaining strength as the year progresses (12.1 PPG lately, up an amazing 4.5 PPG from his year-to-date numbers).

Toronto Raptors: Anthony Parker's scoring numbers have really surged recently (16.7 PPG, up 4.4 PPG from his season average). Jamario Moon continues to impress, having gone from 8.6 PPG on the season to 9.6 PPG recently.

Washington Wizards: If Brendan Haywood's scoring numbers are down lately (9.1 PPG, down from 10.5 PPG on the season), imagine what a complete afterthought he'll be when the team's explosive scoring core is back to full strength down the stretch. Rookie Nick Young has taken advantage of his increased opportunities to score (9.2 PPG lately, up from 7.0 PPG on the year), but he will also fade into the background when Caron Butler and Gilbert Arenas get back this month.