EASTERN CONFERENCE.(National Basketball Association - team/player updates)

Atlanta

NEW LINEUP: The trade with the Sixers gives the Hawks a foundation to build upon: Theo Ratliff in the middle, Toni Kukoc at small forward, Loronzen Wright at power forward, Jason Terry at shooting guard and Brevin Knight at point guard. Of course, that lineup might not play together much this season, as Ratliff recovers from wrist surgery performed the day before the trade.... The Hawks knew C Dikembe Mutombo wanted to play for a team with a chance to win a title and that he likely would sign with another team after the season as a free agent. The Hawks weren't about to let him bolt without receiving players in return. They could have waited until the offseason to try to deal him in a sign-and-trade maneuver, but G.M. Pete Babcock says the deal with the Sixers was a good one, and there was no guarantee the Hawks could have gotten more later.

SEE A DIFFERENT GAME: In Kukoc, the team has the answer to its season-long small forward woes. Coach Lon Kruger has tried four players at that spot with no successful results. Kukoc will benefit from the speed of Terry and Knight and their passing on the perimeter Kukoc can create off the dribble and post up. His skill is sorely needed. He likely will be the team's second offensive option behind Terry. Kukoc, once comfortable, should be an 18-point scorer. --Curtis Bunn

Boston

BAD TRIP: The Celtics finished up the toughest road trip of the season 2-5, far from what they had hoped. A win at Portland, which was considered the biggest victory of the season, was followed by a four-game losing streak. Playing four games in five nights on the road was just as tough as the Celtics thought and then some. The team didn't stick with fundamentals. It was weak on the boards, poor in transition defense and didn't select its shots wisely during the final four games of the trip. Coach Jim O'Brien called it "game slippage" and said the team needed practice time to really address what was wrong. Unfortunately, the team's second week of travel didn't afford it that luxury. Following the Celtics' return home, O'Brien gave the team one day off and said it would be the last day off of the season.

SEE A DIFFERENT GAME: The next few weeks will be an interesting time for the Celtics as O'Brien finally might get a chance to coach a healthy squad. PF Tony Battie (ankle) is due back soon. O'Brien is just learning what PG Chris Herren (shoulder) can do. PC Kenny Anderson (ankle) should start improving his conditioning and become more productive soon. SG Bryant Stith's absence (hip, wrist) should be short. Once O'Brien has all the pieces in place, the challenge becomes how he will integrate them and still keep the limited rotations he prefers. --Shira Springer

Charlotte