MILWAUKEE — The only time Tyrone Hill backed down Monday was when he tried to take back the quote of the day.

        “Series is over, guys,” Hill said as he walked past Milwaukee reporters.

        Pressed later, Hill backtracked. “I just said, "Series is even,'” he insisted. “Let's keep it like that.”

        Hill, a graduate of Xavier University and Withrow High, scored 14 points and set the tone early in the 76ers' 89-83 victory that tied the Eastern Conference finals at two games each.

        The power forward actually considered skipping Monday's game to fly to Cincinnati, where his diabetic father has been hospitalized after two strokes in the last two weeks.

        But Hill, who said his play has suffered because of his concern over his father's health, decided to stay because the 76ers already are without George Lynch, out with a broken foot, and Matt Geiger, who has a quadriceps injury and hasn't played since Game 1.

        “You only have one mom and one dad,” Hill said. “It's been tough because you're playing one of the biggest games of your career. But at the same time, you're thinking about your father and your family. It's hard to stay focused and it's been a hard 2 1/2 weeks for me.”

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