EASTERN CONFERENCE.(team-by-team analyses of National Basketball Association Eastern Conference)(Statistical Data Included)

Atlanta

THANKS, TONI: All season, coach Lon Kruger tried to get production from the small forward spot, but none of the players he started there (Jim Jackson, Roshown McLeod, Chris Crawford and DerMarr Johnson) was consistently effective. He has no such concerns after Toni Kukoc scored 28 points in his second game with the team. Kukoc's ability to shoot from 3-point range is critical for this poor-shooting team. Kukoc can post up most small forwards because of his 6-10 size, and he has a nice back-to-the-basket game. Because he's a crafty ballhandler, the team can isolate him one-on-one and let him create scoring opportunities for himself. If defenses collapse, Kukoc is a good passer who can get the ball to open teammates.

DOWN THE STRETCH: With no playoff hopes, the team wants to get its young players as much court time as possible, particularly Johnson and second-year SG Dion Glover. The problem is, Kruger doesn't want to sacrifice chances to win in order to play unproductive players. C Nazr Mohammed, the other big man acquired from the Sixers, will get more playing time as the season winds down. If he continues to perform at a high level, it would not be a surprise to see him starting, with Lorenzen Wright going back to power forward and Alan Henderson back to the bench. Projected record: 27-55, sixth, Central. --Curtis Bunn

Boston

LIVE BY THE 3: The Celtics have no fear about living and dying by the 3-pointer. The 3s helped the Celtics make it a dose game against the Knicks down the stretch. They helped the team beat the Jazz the next night. PF Antoine Walker made 6 of 9 3-pointers against the Jazz, and the team has been boosted by the 3-point shooting of SF Eric Williams off the bench.... One of the more amazing stories about the Celtics is that they have played the season and remained in contention for a postseason berth with a patchwork of point guards. They are starting Randy Brown, who's better as a backup. Boston doesn't have a point guard who can score on a consistent basis, but it makes do.

DOWN THE STRETCH: The Celtics' only focus is to make the playoffs. To reach that goal and to catch the Pacers, the team must play much better than .500 and stay healthy the rest of the way. The team would like to get on another winning streak, but it's more important to avoid long skids. The Celtics must remember what got them back in playoff contention in the first place and continue doing it. C Mark Blount must become more consistent. Walker and SG Paul Pierce must trust their teammates and not try to do everything themselves. The team can't afford to have scorers or strong defenders go missing for long stretches. Projected record: 39-43, 5th, Atlantic. --Shira Springer

Charlotte