Western Conference

Midwest Division

DALLAS MAVERICKS: PF Juwan Howard fell into an early-season funk, especially when there was talk of acquiring Jazz PF Karl Malone in a deal that would have included Howard. Howard enjoys playing with old Chicago pals SG Michael Finley and PG Tim Hardaway. After the trade rumors involving Malone quieted, Howard responded by averaging 18.6 points and 10.2 rebounds in a recent 10-game stretch. Howard's confidence is back, and his low-post game is critical to an offense that depends heavily on perimeter shooting.... Finley's recovery from a hamstring injury is ongoing, so coach Don Nelson will continue to scale back Finley's minutes and lean heavily on his bench in an effort to get Finley healthy for the playoffs. --Ken Sins

DENVER NUGGETS: With PG Nick Van Exel (elbow) out, PG Avery Johnson did a stellar job as a starter. Johnson led the usually road-challenged Nuggets to victories at Memphis and Minnesota by averaging 17.5 points and 13.5 assists.... With trade rumors surrounding him, F/C Raef LaFrentz played even better. He scored 53 points and made 11 3-pointers in the road wins. He made the game-winning shot against Minnesota and blocked five shots against Memphis.... G/F Tariq Abdul-Wahad is playing great defense and getting easy baskets off the bench. --Marc J. Spears

HOUSTON ROCKETS: The team was worried about its front line after trading C Hakeem Olajuwon and losing PF Maurice Taylor (Achilles') to injury in the offseason. These days, the frontcourt's future is bright. Kelvin Cato finally appears to be a serviceable center, and SF Kenny Thomas is consistent. If Eddie Griffin had been starting since the season began, he would be pushing Grizzlies PF Pau Gasol for Rookie of the Year. Griffin and Thomas work well together, with both able to play either forward spot and Griffin spending some time at center. Add in a healthy Taylor next season, and the Rockets will have the size and versatility to match up inside with anyone. --Adam Wexler

MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES: SG Rodney Buford was suspended five games for violating the league's anti-drug rules. Buford was unavailable to be contacted by league officials--a violation for a previous offender. The Grizzlies are trying to sort fact from fiction, but Buford has played well recently and has an inexpensive contract, so the team would like to keep him.... With PGs Jason Williams (toes) and Brevin Knight (ankle) out, the team signed Memphis native PG Elliot Perry to a 10-day contract. Perry, 32, shot 3-for-3 in his debut but committed four turnovers and is a defensive liability. --Don Wade

MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES: The loss of Terrell Brandon to a season-ending leg injury puts a serious wrinkle in the team's backcourt depth. Felipe Lopez, a natural shooting guard, is the only worthy candidate to play behind new starter Chauncey Billups, and one more injury will put the team in jeopardy of falling fast in the standings. But the backcourt isn't the only problem. The entire bench is thin. Although C Rasho Nesterovic has been a near non-factor, backups Dean Garrett and rookie Loren Woods are lucky to play in garbage time. With backup PF Gary Trent (hamstring) out and No. 3 PG William Avery apparently unable to play in the NBA, the team is down to an eight-man rotation. --John Millea

SAN ANTONIO SPURS: SF Danny Ferry (back), out since December 5, returned last week at just the right time for the Spurs, who have struggled with their shooting. Ferry made 48.1 percent of his 3-pointers before the injury, and the team was thin at small forward with him and Bruce Bowen (finger) out.... SG Charles Smith still hustles on defense, but his scoring has dropped off. Smith, who is struggling from 3-point range, is at his best when he puts the ball on the floor and tries to create. When Bowen returns, Smith's minutes could drop to about 15 per game. --Johnny Ludden

UTAH JAZZ: The team started out its Olympic-sized nine-game road trip--thanks to being kicked out of the Delta Center for the Winter Games--with losses to two of the worst teams in the West (Denver and Memphis). But the Jazz rebounded after the All-Star break with three straight wins against East teams with .500 or better records (Indiana, Philadelphia and Toronto). Utah's veterans--PF Karl Malone, PG ,John Stockton and G/F Bryon Russell--led the way. Malone, who skipped the All-Star Game to be with his ailing mother, is playing his best basketball of the season. He says having a few days off from basketball refreshed him. --Loren Jorgensen

Pacific Division

GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS: Bob Sura has been the team's most effective player the past six weeks. With PG Larry Hughes in foul trouble against the Celtics, Sura played point guard for the final 19 minutes of a win. Though Sura isn't a natural point guard (neither is Hughes), the offense seemed to run better with him against Boston. Sura's playing time gradually has increased since coach Brian Winters took over for Dave Cowens in mid-December.... Cs Erick Oampier and Adonal Foyle are frustrated about not being a big enough part of the offense, but neither has been efficient. The problem is simple: Because the Warriors are a poor perimeter team, opponents routinely double team centers in the low post to force outside shots. --Matt Steinmetz