Still long road, but 76ers believe they can travel it

An improbable Conference finals with the Cavaliers the Celtics’ reach.

The only thing delaying it is one more victory against a 76ers team intent on not becoming the latest to join a dubious NBA club.

The Raptors on Monday became the 130th consecutive team to fail to overcome a 3-0 series deficit as the Cavaliers completed a sweep of the Eastern semifinals with a lopsided victory in Cleveland. The 76ers are one loss away from becoming team No. 131.

Philadelphia-born rapper Meek Mill, who has been courtside for several 76ers games this series following his release from prison last month, is one of many hometown fans still hoping the team can pull off the comeback.

“I represent the underdog season,” Mill told The Associated Press on Tuesday. “We’re the underdogs right now.

“We’re in a (bad) position at 3-1, but I definitely believe we can make a comeback.”

The 76ers used their toughness, a little trash talk and 19 points from reserve T.J. McConnell to produce a 103-92 victory Monday in Game 4 and finally resemble the team that eased past the Heat in the first round.

Harnessing that same energy Wednesday in Boston will be paramount. The Eastern rematch is within Celtics are 6-0 at home this postseason.

“Obviously, we (found) a way to beat them,” McConnell said. “We took the taste of how it feels on the court after losing. From 3-0, now it’s 3-1. We need to play play-by-play.”

Game 4 certainly felt the most like a throwback to the Celtics-76ers battles of the 1980s thanks to an increased level of chirpiness between players that produced some face-to-face moments and multiple technical fouls.

The Celtics’ Al Horford, who has scored in double figures in each of their 11 games this postseason (with five double-doubles), said more aggression is expected from a team in the 76ers’ predicament.

“We have to protect our home,” Horford said. “We were able to steal one (in Game 3). They protected their home court (Monday, so) we have to protect ours.”

Hood avoids fine: Cavaliers guard Rodney Hood will not be fined or suspended for refusing to go into Monday night’s blowout victory over the Raptors, a team source confirmed.

According to USA Today’s Jeff Zilgitt, Hood met with the front office Tuesday morning and expressed remorse. Hood played fewer than 13 minutes in the series. News services