EASTERN CONFERENCE.(NBA)

ATLANTIC DIVISION

BOSTON CELTICS: PF Jerome Moiso, a disappointment after the team drafted him at No. 11 last year, might have a chance to gain playing time next season. Moiso seldom received minutes during Rick Pitino's regime, and he moved further down the bench when Jim O'Brien took over. If the best solution to the team's point guard situation is playing PF Antoine Walker at the point for 20 minutes a game, there would be more room for Moiso to grow during actual competition. Moiso played in 24 games as a rookie. O'Brien predicts fans will be surprised by what they see from Moiso next season. --Shira Springer

MIAMI HEAT: About the only sure things to remain with the team are SG Eddie Jones and PF Brian Grant, considering the faith they put into coach Pat Riley when they signed seven-year, free-agent contracts last summer. C Alonzo Mourning also is an untouchable, but his kidney situation could force another departure. The obvious castoffs appear to be C Todd Fuller and PF A.C. Green. C Duane Causwell and SF Cedric Ceballos also don't appear long for the franchise. SF Anthony Mason and PG Tim Hardaway will be the toughest decisions. Both might want bigger roles and contracts than the Heat is willing to give them. --Ira Winderman

NEW JERSEY NETS: F/C Jamie Feick's left Achilles' tendon is worse than before his October surgery, and there is a strong possibility Feick will not be ready for the start of training camp. Feick had surgery just a few days into the last camp and missed the season's fast 50 games. He returned for six games and averaged 9.3 rebounds before pain forced him out for the remainder of the season.... Unlike last spring when a the draft lottery took them from the expected sixth spot to the No. 1 pick, the Nets lost ground and fell from No. 6 to No. 7. The team is expected to use the selection to draft a center. --Don Burke

NEW YORK KNICKS: When PF Larry Johnson missed the last 10 days of the regular season and the entire playoff series loss to the Raptors, the Knicks were reminded that his 12-year, $84 million deal might outlast his playing days. Johnson, who has five years left on the deal, has been bothered by lower back pain since December 1993. The injury hasn't sidelined Johnson, 32, often, but his skills have eroded. His days as a starter might be over. PF Kurt Thomas did an impressive job filling in for Johnson, and the Knicks likely will make a pitch for Kings PF Chris Webber this summer. The team hopes Johnson can be a valuable backup for the next few seasons. --John Brennan

ORLANDO MAGIC: SF Mike Miller and coach Doc Rivers both will be part of this summer's U.S. Goodwill Games team, and that's a sign Miller is unlikely to be traded. Rivers, an assistant to coach Flip Saunders, isn't giving up a month of his summer vacation so he can get Miller ready for another team. Miller must use the experience to get better at creating his own shot off the dribble. He also must learn how to use his 6-8 frame in post-up situations. The battle for playing time at the swing positions on the U.S. team will be fierce. If Miller's moves work and his shots fall, he'll enter next season with a new level of confidence. --Bill Fay

PHILADELPHIA 76ERS: The team is paying the price for allowing SG Allen Iverson to lead the league in average minutes played during the regular season. It's impossible to say if he would be less banged up if his playing time had been reduced, but it might have helped. Iverson's injuries also demonstrate the need for him to strengthen his body--even though he hates weight training. No one criticizes his competitive drive and relentless style, but Iverson must learn to pick his spots and not put himself at risk so frequently. And the team must learn to lessen his load. --Jon Marks