If the Hawks continue to play on the road as they have, it won't matter when center Theo Ratliff comes back.

Friday night they were crushed again, 98-78 by the Philadelphia 76ers, their sixth road defeat, the last five by an average of 20 points. This one was instigated by an old friend.

For almost five seasons Atlanta enjoyed the intimidation of Dikembe Mutombo. Those who came into the lane were forced to pay a toll in the form of blocked or altered shots.

A fresh group of Hawks tried to invade Mutombo's house. He treated them with utter disdain.

Shareef Abdur-Rahim, Dion Glover and friends were shown by Mutombo they must get out of the paint or face retribution. The Hawks were limited to five layups in the first half. So they went to the wings, and there the Hawks offense strangled itself on bad outside shooting.

"We knew he was there all right," Glover said. "We tried to drive and kick, but Cal was the only one making shots."