By Rick Morris
April 1, 2008 1:23pm CDT

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

Atlanta Hawks: As the Hawks continue their playoff push, they have received help from an unlikely source: Marvin Williams, who went off for 27 points and 11 rebounds Sunday afternoon against the Knicks. Players like Williams are really boosting Joe Johnson's distribution numbers; Johnson is tallying an impressive 24.7 PPG lately, but is also dishing nicely at 7.2 APG (up from 5.7 APG this season).

Boston Celtics: Boston's playoff push will gain the same benefit that owners of individual Celts will see: 9 of the last 10 games played by the Celtics will be against teams with losing records. Leon Powe is staking a claim to a lead spot in the rotation going forward, and backed it up again Sunday with 17 points and 13 rebounds. Kevin Garnett's offense has been down this season (18.9 PPG as opposed to 22.4 PPG last year), but he's been back up recently (19.7 PPG).

Charlotte Hornets: Derek Anderson is still day-to-day for personal reasons. With the team out of the playoff picture, monitor the playing time of Emeka Okafor, who has started to hint that he may move on in free agency this summer. Jason Richardson has traditionally been one of the better-rebounding guards in the league, but his recent play has been especially torrid (6.2 RPG).

Chicago Bulls: Notwithstanding the fact that the team's underachieving play has it on the verge of complete elimination from the playoff picture, interim coach Jim Boylan is indicating that no big changes are pending in the rotation. Joakim Noah's recent progress manifested itself in an 18-point effort, his highest tally of the season. Drew Gooden's recent mark of 16.1 PPG is up a third over his season average.

Cleveland Cavaliers: Given his recurring back problems and his importance as an enforcer for Cleveland in the playoffs, Ben Wallace won't be seeing much action the rest of the regular season notwithstanding the fact that he has received medical clearance to play. Big Ben's absence should at least help the statistical production of Joe Smith, who has really looked like "Average Joe" lately at 6.6 PPG. This team has struggled with injuries all year long, and especially since the big move at the trading deadline, but at least one of their most valuable pieces, Daniel Gibson, is finally back. With this valuable gunner available, Wally Szczerbiak and his recent 5.5 PPG are on the rotation bubble.

Detroit Pistons: In the absence of Rip Hamilton, Aaron Afflalo got three starts. His 15 points and 7 rebounds against Toronto last Thursday gave a hint as to his capabilities, but he'll be marginalized again with Hamilton and Juan Dixon back. Jason Maxiell chipped in 13 points in 22 minutes against the defensive-minded Cavs Saturday night, further illustrating the potential fantasy depth of the Detroit bench.

Indiana Pacers: After 32 games, Jermaine O'Neal is back and apparently poised for a nice stretch run. The addition of one more prime offensive option will put Mike Dunleavy's scorching run to a test (23.3. PPG lately, up from 18.7 PPG this season). Troy Murphy has also been unconscious lately, putting up 18.1 PPG and 11.4 PPG over his last seven games.

Miami Heat: Sans the injured Dwyane Wade and Shawn Marion, the Heat showed every bit of what they were capable of with a 62-point, 28.8 shooting percentage effort against Boston. Don't look at this game as evidence that Ricky Davis will shine when he has no competition for the ball; he jacked up 13 shots and made only four With a lineup dominated by players on 10-day contracts, Miami has less to offer right now fantasy-wise than any NBA team has had in a long time.

Milwaukee Bucks: Andrew Bogut's fractured beak has him day-to-day right now. The injury interrupts a great streak of progress for him: 14.4 PPG and 11.7 RPG in the month of March. For a team already said to be in some level of internal disarray thanks to misshapen team chemistry and a horrid won-lost record, the firing of General Manager Larry Harris bears watching to see what desperation changes are made before owner Herb Kohl finishes sweeping the organizational broom at the end of the season. Charlie Villanueva's 26 points against the Bulls on Saturday will bear watching to see if he is legitimately progressing late in the year or is just engaging in yet another tease.

New Jersey Nets: Few teams with any slim remaining playoff hopes are as desperate as the Nets right now, which will make their players extremely motivated for their fantasy owners. Vince Carter continues to be a beast on the boards lately at 8.0 RPG, up nearly a third from his year-to-date average. Josh Boone's progression at glass-cleaning has been very close to that lately as he is at 10.1 RPG.

New York Knicks: Jamal Crawford's 39 points against Atlanta on Sunday were accompanied by eight assists, indicating a continuing capacity to contribute in more than one area. Nate Robinson is making a good impression on the incoming Donnie Walsh administration, bettering his season total by about half lately with 18.4 PPG.

Orlando Magic: Hedo Turkoglu's career year can't last long enough, as he keeps upping his incredible season averages. He popped in a season-high 39 points last Wednesday against Washington. Meanwhile, Dwight Howard's point tally is down a bit lately (18.3 PPG, as opposed to 21.2 PPG this season).

Philadelphia 76ers: Louis Williams' recent 13.0 PPG (up from 11.4 PPG this year) have been a nice surprise for the Sixers and his fantasy owners. Andre Miller is up exactly one assist per game lately at 7.9 APG.

Toronto Raptors: Chris Bosh may get his game back in shape in time for the playoffs, but it will be scant comfort to his fantasy owners who are not getting the franchise numbers lately to which they had become accustomed (19.6 PPG, down from 22.3 PPG on the season). Andrea Bargnani has also been flagging (7.9 PPG, down from 10.4 PPG). Conversely, Rasho Nesterovic of all people is more than doubling his season scoring average recently at 14.1 PPG.

Washington Wizards: Two wing players (Nick Young and DeShawn Stevenson) who figure to be almost completely marginalized when Gilbert Arenas returns each put up 27 points against the Lakers on Sunday. Of course, Arenas' return continues to be a point of speculation as it has for so long. Speaking of wing players making hay in Gilbert's absence, Roger Mason has climbed off the scrap heap to average 17.6 PPG in his eight starts this year.