Sixers hoping to thwart history
BOSTON – An improbable Eastern Conference finals rematch with the Cleveland Cavaliers is in reach for the Boston Celtics.
The only thing delaying it is one more victory against a Philadelphia 76ers team intent on not becoming the latest to join a dubious NBA club.
Toronto was swept by Cleveland on Monday to become the 130th consecutive team in NBA history to fail to overcome a 3-0 deficit. Philadelphia is one loss away from becoming No. 131.
Philadelphia-born rapper Meek Mill, who has been courtside for several Sixers games this series following his release from prison last month, is one of many hometown fans still hoping they 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.”
Philadelphia used its toughness, a little trash talk and 19 big points from T.J. McConnell in its 103-92 victory in Game 4 Monday to finally produce a glint of the basketball it displayed in easing past Miami in the first round.
Harnessing that energy will be paramount in Boston for Game 5 on Wednesday. The Celtics have yet to lose a game at home this postseason (6-0).
“Obviously, after 3-0, we (found) a way how 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 in the 1980s thanks to an increased level of chirpiness between players that produced some face-to-face moments and multiple technical fouls.
Boston’s Al Horford, who has scored in double figures in each of the Celtics 11 games this postseason (with five double-doubles), said more aggression is expected from a team in the Sixers’ predicament.
“We have to protect our home,” Horford said. “We were able to steal one (in Game 3). They protected their home court (Monday). We have to go home and protect ours.”