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In the final weeks of the season, it's difficult to find a savior off the waiver wire. Thus, shrewd management of your starting lineup and bench becomes crucial. Play the matchups, start your sizzling players, bench the broken ones and do everything within your power to control the standings.

Here are some hot and cold players from the past two weeks, based on the player rater's 15-day averages. Some of them will be available in your league, but most likely have fluctuated between starting and sitting on the bench. These players should be added, elevated to starting status, benched or dropped. The player's ranking on the player rater, based upon the past 15 days, is in parentheses.

Drew Gooden, PF, Bulls (26th): Of all the deadline deals, I didn't give Gooden's move to Chicago much thought, but he immediately improved his game and is a fixed starter for the Bulls. His March averages of 15.6 points, 9.6 rebounds, 1.0 steals and 2.1 blocks while shooting 50.5 percent from the floor and 80 percent from the stripe aren't just better than what he was doing in Cleveland; those are dominant fantasy numbers. He started the season strong in November, but his recent success eclipses that, and Gooden will continue to be one of the best late-season surprises in the fantasy game.

LaMarcus Aldridge, PF/C, Blazers (40th): He's been on a scoring binge, averaging 22.1 points on 53.1 percent shooting in March. The rest of his stats this month are decent, with 7.0 boards, 1.1 steals, 0.8 blocks, but it's on the scoring end where he's really picked it up, with three games in which he's attempted at least 20 shots. Sharing the frontcourt with someone who could not care less about scoring (Joel Przybilla) and an unsure scorer (Martell Webster, who takes mostly jumpers) provides ample opportunities for Aldridge. His strong past month typically would indicate a higher draft status next season, but adjusting to the addition of Greg Oden will create questions. However, there are no questions this season, as he dropped 31 points and eight boards Wednesday night. He is averaging 24.4 points in his past five games and will be one of the best fantasy centers down the stretch.

Charlie Villanueva, SF/PF, Bucks (49th): Villanueva stepped up with Yi Jianlian sidelined, and his averages of 16.6 points, 7.9 rebounds and 0.9 3-pointers in March are an indication of what he would have done this season had the team not inanely promised Yi playing time. Well, Yi is back, as is Mo Williams, who demands shot attempts when in the starting lineup. Villanueva's stint as the primary option is over, and even though hel still will get more minutes than Yi, the big man's return clearly will cut into his floor time. Yi's return game Wednesday was the first contest since March 7 in which Villanueva logged fewer than 30 minutes, and even though it's not a question of talent but rather opportunity, his opportunities are vanishing.

Jameer Nelson, PG, Magic (54th): He's had many down arrows next to his name this season, and fantasy owners have pulled their hair wondering why Nelson hasn't been better, especially given his supporting cast. Even though it feels like too little, too late, he is averaging a season high in steals, 3s, field goals, free throws and assists this month, and has transformed from fantasy castoff to fantasy starter. I'm pretty sure I could average three assists per game on alley-oops playing alongside Dwight Howard, and it looks like Nelson will have enough late-season success to be a difference-maker for patient -- or stubborn -- fantasy owners.

Rasho Nesterovic, C, Raptors (58th): In a classic case of a veteran backup capitalizing upon a superstar starter's injury, Rasho was fantastic with Chris Bosh out. After just three double-digit scoring nights all season, he notched seven in his first 10 March contests. He averaged 13.2 points and 7.3 rebounds in that span, although now that Bosh is back, Rasho's role will once again be limited. He played 30 minutes off the bench Wednesday night in Bosh's return, and contributed 12 points and three blocks. Bosh played just 22 minutes, but since Sam Mitchell likely will want him well-rested for the playoffs, Rasho will retain some value for the remainder of the regular season.

Kenyon Martin, PF, Nuggets (61st): Martin has attempted at least 11 shots in four of his past five games, and it's when he's being aggressive and capitalizing on his talent that his numbers inflate. I've always liked his steal/block combo, but he's increased his scoring, averaging 16.6 points in his past five games and 60.5 percent from the floor in March.

Rashad McCants, SG, Timberwolves (74th): He's scoring consistently off the bench, averaging 2.2 3s over his past seven contests. Since he's in the team's future plans, he should see plenty of floor time as the season wanes and be a steady provider from behind the arc.

Jason Williams, PG, Heat (88th): Williams dropped a season-high 34 points on 12-of-26 shooting, including five 3s, seven assists and six rebounds, on March 14, displaying that he still has fuel in the tank. The Heat are depleted, deflated and destined for a bevy of lottery balls, providing sufficient opportunity for any player with a pulse. March has been by far Williams' best month this season, with averages of 12.6 points, 2.4 3s, four assists and one steal while shooting 45 percent from the floor and 100 percent from the stripe. With both Dwyane Wade and Marcus Banks currently sidelined, Williams has free rein on offense and with Ricky Davis creates a tandem of experienced players who are benefiting from the Heat's futility. Williams did miss Wednesday's contest with a jammed thumb, and even though it likely isn't serious, Chris Quinn will have value if Williams misses time.

Joakim Noah, PF, Bulls (108th): His field goal (49 percent) and free-throw (87.5 percent) percentages this month are the highest they have been this season, and he's been a consistent source of rebounds and steals. The fact that he's entrenched in the starting lineup this late in the season is a promising sign for next year. He has meshed with Drew Gooden and Luol Deng, leaving Andres Nocioni with marginal value.

Julian Wright, SF, Hornets (120th): The touted rookie is averaging more than 22 minutes in his past seven contests, with 9.1 points, 0.9 steals and 0.5 3s on 65.1 percent shooting from the floor and 85.7 percent shooting from the stripe. I don't see his role increasing much more this season, but he undoubtedly will be considered a sleeper next preseason. He has serious potential, and with his strong finish this season and the tools to be a multiple-category contributor, we'll be hearing about Wright for a long time.

Keith Bogans, SG, Magic (160th): He plays a prominent role off the bench for the Magic, although he's a one-dimensional 3-point shooter, and at this point in the season, those are a dime a dozen. Bogans' percentages are unimpressive, and even though he likely would notch a steal per game with starter's minutes, that won't be the case anytime soon.

Carlos Delfino, SG/SF, Raptors (188th): He's shooting just 16 percent from downtown in March, crippling his ability to provide the one category he's typically good for. When specialists don't specialize, it's time to cut bait. Drop him, and address a specific need.

Anderson Varejao, PF/C, Cavaliers (200th): With Zydrunas Ilgauskas and Ben Wallace filling the starting frontcourt, Varejao is stuck on the bench, fighting with Joe Smith for minutes. He eclipsed 20 minutes for the first game in his past three on Wednesday night, but he still had just six points and six boards in 25 minutes off the bench. Another case of decreased opportunities hurting a player's value.

Andray Blatche, PF, Wizards (202nd): Antawn Jamison and Caron Butler hog all the frontcourt minutes, and with both of them healthy, Blatche's role is supplementary. He had five double-digit rebounding games in February but has had none so far in March, and his 1.1 blocks per game this month is his lowest average this season. We've seen what he can do when given minutes, and he'll be a fantasy regular for a long time, but his limited chances the rest of this season kill his value.

Morris Peterson, SG/SF, Hornets (302nd): Peterson has scored in double figures just twice in March, and even though he's retained his starting role, Bonzi Wells, Jannero Pargo and Julian Wright all demand minutes off the bench. He still will give you about a 3 per game, but nothing else. At this point, go for a player with more upside, especially after Peterson went scoreless Wednesday night.

Josh Whitling is a fantasy basketball analyst for ESPN.com.