 Dikembe Mutombo shoots over Nazr Mohammed, one of the players he was traded for. Jesse Garrabrant/NBAE/Getty Images 56k | 300k |
Last February, the Hawks traded the 7-2 Mutombo -- an impending free agent at the time -- to the 76ers in a blockbuster six-player deal. The 76ers coupled his defense with Allen Iverson's offense and reached the NBA Finals for the first time in 18 years.
"It doesn't bother me no more (that I was traded)," Mutombo said. "I have a great job up here."
"I think both teams got great players," Iverson added. "At that time, it was the best decision for us. Obviously, it was a good decision because it helped us get to the Finals." In that trade, the Sixers dealt centers Theo Ratliff and Nazr Mohammed and forward Toni Kukoc. Some believed Philadelphia gave up too much, but Atlanta has not been able to turn things around with its new personnel.
Mutombo scored seven points in a 14-2 second-quarter run that gave the Sixers the lead for good. He also had seven rebounds and three blocks.
An All-Star last season, Ratliff did not play after the trade due to a broken wrist. He played just two games this season and will miss the next six to eight weeks recovering from surgery to repair torn cartilage in his hip.
"If he could play, he would be playing," Iverson said. "Once he comes back, he's going to be great for them because he's young. He'll be playing a lot longer than Dikembe."
"When Theo gets back, with (Abdur-Rahim), they are going to be pretty darn good," Sixers coach Larry Brown said.
Kukoc missed all six of his shots and scored just one point. Mohammed started in place of Ratliff and managed seven points and seven rebounds in 22 foul-plagued minutes.
"I think Philly feels good about the trade, and they should," Hawks coach Lon Kruger said. "Dikembe played good last spring; he's a big-time player. We feel good about it. We have Theo, who is an All-Star-type player. Nazr played well for us and Tony will get his offense going. It's a good deal and I feel both teams feel the same."
Aaron McKie returned from a one-game absence due to a sprained foot and scored 20 points to lead Philadelphia, which had all five starters in double figures. Iverson scored 19 points and the Sixers have not lost since he returned four games ago.
Jason Terry scored 15 points and Cal Bowdler added 14 for the Hawks, who have lost eight straight in the series dating to March 27, 1999.
Atlanta's Shareef Abdur-Rahim had 12 points and 10 rebounds but made just 3-of-10 shots. His three-point play -- his only hoop of the first half -- gave the Hawks a 27-25 lead early in the second quarter.
But Derrick Coleman made two free throws to tie it before a pair of baskets by Mutombo gave Philadelphia the lead for good. He added a three-point play before McKie's 3-pointer capped the run at 39-29 with 4:49 remaining.
The Sixers led 49-39 at halftime and took a 71-61 advantage into the final period. A 3-pointer by McKie triggered a 13-0 burst that he closed with consecutive hoops, giving Philadelphia its largest lead at 92-66 with 5:29 left.
"(Brown) is the coach of the team, but I try to be the coach out on the floor," McKie said. "I try to steer guys in the right direction and just get the ball in to the guys who are going to make it happen for us. I think that takes a lot of pressure off Allen."
Matt Harpring had 14 points and seven rebounds and Coleman added 11 and seven for the Sixers, who shot 46 percent (38-of-82) and held a 50-30 advantage in points in the paint, thanks partly to Mutombo.
"My reputation also plays a big factor," Mutombo said. "Guys look at me and don't shoot. They think twice before they shoot the ball."
Dion Glover scored 10 points for the Hawks, who shot 39 percent (29-of-74).