After the Philadelphia 76ers took care of business in Boston for Game 5, defeating the Celtics 115-103, Philly is just one win away from reaching the Eastern Conference Finals. If they pull it off, it’ll be the first time the Sixers have reached the ECF since Allen Iverson and Co. did it back in 2001.

With all the momentum in their corner, the 76ers could realistically end this series at home in Game 6. It won’t be easy, though, and perhaps no Sixer knows that better than PJ Tucker. The 38-year-old guard has been through it all during his NBA career and knows damn well Boston won’t go down without a fight.

Like the veteran leader he is, Tucker shared a captivating message with his 76ers teammates following their win Tuesday night.

“Even keeled, humble, hungry, and do the same things we’ve been doing,” Tucker told reporters in regards to his post-game messaging. “I told everybody, we’re not excited. We expect to win, but at the same time, we respect our opponents, and we’re gonna come out and play hard because we know they are.”

Boston has been in this position before. Just last year, they rallied from a 3-2 deficit against the Milwaukee Bucks in the Eastern Conference Semifinals after dropping Game 5 at home. After taking that series in seven games, Boston faced PJ’s Miami Heat in the Conference Finals. He’s well aware of what Boston is capable of in these situations.

“It feels good to get a chance to close out at home, but it’s not over,” Tucker said. “We still gotta play. They’re gonna come, they’re gonna give us everything they got and it’s just one of those games that it’s gonna be emotional, but we got to keep our heads and stay focused and keep our mind on the goal.”

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History is on the Celtics side here. They’ve won six best-of-seven series when trailing 3-2 all-time, the most of any team in NBA history.

Will history repeat itself? We’d be lying if we said we aren’t at least a little worried. The 76ers have let us down numerous times before.

But the 76ers have proven a lot of us wrong all throughout this season. Throughout this entire ESCF series, the Sixers have looked like the better team. Above all else, Philadelphia has matched the energy of the moment this postseason – something that none of us could say about any past iteration of this team. PJ Tucker deserves a lot of credit for that.

If his latest message hits home, the Sixers might just reach the ECF for the first time in over 20 years come Thursday.

>> Read More: 76ers destroy the Celtics in Boston, take 3-2 series lead back to The Well tomorrow night

Mandatory Credit: USA Today Sports