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Mar. 2 - Sometimes it's the little things that make the difference. Every week we take you around the Eastern Conference for a look at the day-to-day developments on real NBA teams and how they might affect your fantasy squad.

Boston Celtics: Every now and then, you see a player who is warming the bench and then gets the start due to injuries to the regulars and plays so well you wonder what he was doing on the bench for so long. If you have seen Ryan Gomes lately you know what I am talking about. Not only is Gomes playing close to 40 minutes every game, he also has three double-doubles in the last three games. The hitherto unknown rookie is a great addition while Al Jefferson and Kendrick Perkins continue to sit out.

New Jersey Nets: Twelve assists is great. An assist-to-turnover ratio of 7.75:1 is just sick. That is why we love Jason Kidd. Kidd has been so hot since the All-Star break that a couple of rebounds more each game and he'd be averaging a triple-double ... The Nets got a scare when Vince Carter went down with a hamstring injury. Luckily Carter was back on the court the next game, though you have to wonder why it took 24 shots to score 22 points.

New York Knicks: Early returns in the Steve Francis Era: Three games, three losses. Francis hasn't looked good either, posting 12.3 points, 3.7 rebounds and 2.3 assists. Coming off the bench in the last game doesn't bode well for the future either ... If you are an optimist you may look at Quentin Richardson scoring in double figures as a silver lining, but realistically if you own any Knicks player you have every right to feel depressed.

Philadelphia 76ers: Samuel Dalemberthas now missed three games in a row. No word on his return date from the Sixers yet ... Chris Webber missed one game as well, but is playing and showing no signs of discomfort. Believe it or not C-Webb has missed just three games this season. So much for the injury risk label ... The real Kyle Korver was abducted by aliens and after a miraculous escape during the All-Star weekend is back with the Sixers. How else do you explain Korver getting hot all of a sudden and netting jumpers from all over the floor? Korver is as streaky as any other jump shooter so this might not last, but if you need a boost in three-pointers, he's your man.

Toronto Raptors: The Raptors have enough scoring options to run past any team. They average above 100 points per game. The problem is they aren't any good defensively and give up more than 102 points per game. Hopefully new GM Bryan Colangelo will make smart draft picks like he did in Phoenix and the Raptors will be competitive next season ... That's not to say this season's much talked about draft pick, Charlie Villanueva, is playing badly. In fact, Villanueva has two double-doubles in three games after the All Star weekend. With six three-pointers in three games it is hard to imagine Villanueva on the waiver wire in any fantasy league.

Chicago Bulls: One assist! One assist and Kirk Hinrich would have gotten the first triple-double of his career. Hinrich registered one of the best lines of the season going for 30 points, 13 rebounds, nine assists, two three-pointers, three steals and no turnovers and capped it with a win ... Primary backup Chris Duhon was injured in the game against the Timberwolves, and if he misses a few games expect more fireworks from Hinrich ... Tyson Chandler has failed to reach the double-digit mark in points scored in 12 games this month. Hopefully rebounds were all you needed from him.

Cleveland Cavaliers: The Cavs got showed up. No denying that. The Pistons literally stomped all over the Cavaliers in their home-‘n-home series. Suffice to say, if it does happen, the Pistons-Cavaliers playoff series won't be going to the seventh game ... Ronald Murray will score. He may have looked ugly in the home game against the Pistons connecting on just two out of 12 shots, but the important thing is he got 12 shots. The 17 points he put up against the Pistons in the away game is what should be expected going forward from Flip. He'll also drop a few steals and assists every now and then but scoring is what he will do best.

Detroit Pistons: We saw how Jason Kidd was putting up a sick assists-per-turnover ratio of 7.75:1 post All-Star. What would you call Chauncey Billups’ assists-per-turnover ratio of 9.33:1 during that same time? I'm at a loss for words here. Just give this guy the MVP trophy. Billups isn't shooting well – less than 35 percent since All-Star weekend – however, the double-digit assists are more than enough to compensate for that ... Before he bloodied Zydrunas Ilgauskas, Rasheed Wallace went 1-of-13 in the game against the Bulls. All part of the game, I guess. He is still the best fantasy center in the league ... By the way, Ben Wallace spent nearly 37 minutes on the floor against the Cavs but didn't score a single point. Good thing the Pistons don't rely on him for scoring.

Indiana Pacers: The Pacers do rely on Peja Stojakovic for scoring and he isn't disappointing them, scoring more than 20 points per game. As long as he keeps hitting three three-pointers each game his fantasy owners won't be disappointed either ... Jeff Foster pulled down 30 rebounds in the last two games. Now you know who to look for if you need rebounds ... And if you need points, try Fred Jones, who had 31 and 22 against the Hawks and the Nets, respectively.

Milwaukee Bucks: Games like the one against the Nuggets make you appreciate the wise choice the Bucks made in drafting Andrew Bogut as the first pick. The Bucks have every reason to feel good about themselves after his 16-point, 11-rebound, five-assist effort ... Michael Redd is 36-36 from the free throw line in the last five games. Redd is one of the most underrated stars in the league and fantasy world. He probably won't be underrated in fantasy leagues after this season.

Atlanta Hawks: The Hawks have the talent to do what the Hornets are doing this season. What they lack is the willingness to play as a team. Case in point: Salim Stoudamire, who was suspended for two games for conduct detrimental to team (read, too much complaining about lack of shot opportunities)... On the brighter side, Josh Smith seems to have figured out his role on the team. The percentages need work but 13 points, nine rebounds and a whopping 4.2 blocks per game since the break are as good as any player can get you. Smith is in line for a monster second half and if you have time don't hesitate to trade for him.

Charlotte Bobcats: Gerald Wallace's averages in three games back from injury: 16 points, 10 rebounds, 1.3 steals, and 1.7 blocks. My team looks so much better now ... The Bobcats have found a way to keep both Wallace and Jumaine Jones in the lineup, which means you can keep enjoying the 17 points, six rebounds and more than two three-pointers Jones is getting you ... Primoz Brezec is back in action, too. Brezec is scoring a lot of points, more than 15 for the Bobcats who are short-handed up front. Brezec doesn't block much and gets just about six rebounds per game. Not flattering at all for a 7-1 center.

Miami Heat: I know a 7-1 center who does put up gaudy stats. Shaquille O'Neal has missed just 10 out of 43 shots post All-Star. That's a field goal percentage of 76.7. Shaq also has an unenviable free throw percentage of 29.2 percent. You know what you are getting here. Good thing is you are going to get lots of it in the second half ... Shaq's play has meant less minutes for Alonzo Mourning. The Alonzo Mourning Block Count still keeps chugging along and is now past the 150 mark.

Orlando Magic: I kept making fun of Darko Milicic while he was in Detroit. Now I have him on my squad in almost all leagues. The kid just needs a chance. Even if he only gets me three blocks per game like he has in the last three games, I'm more than happy. You could do a lot worse at center ... Grant Hill seems to have found a way to time travel back to the last century. More than 20 points per game since the Steve Francis trade. Enjoy it while it lasts.

Washington Wizards: The Wizards have so little depth on the bench, their chances of winning a playoff series look bleak. However if Gilbert Arenas keeps scoring 36 points a game, depth might not be an issue. In any case the Wizards are going to the post-season for sure ... Seriously, it is getting ridiculous now. Antawn Jamison with six three-pointers against the Grizzlies. Last season was the first when he averaged at least one three-pointer per game. Now he is jacking them like they were going out of fashion. The Wizards are going to the postseason for sure ... By the way, hello, Caron Butler, or “Mr. Zero points in 25 minutes.”

Pravin Bhandakkar is a fantasy expert for NBA.com. His column Around the Eastern Conference runs every Thursday as part of the NBA.com Premium Scouting Report. Contact him at Praywin@TalentedMrRoto.com .

The views expressed by the TalentedMrRoto.com represent only the views of the writers; they do not represent the views of the NBA or any NBA team.