Celtics’ NBA Cup Hopes Hang in the Balance
The Boston Celtics kept their NBA Cup dreams alive with a thrilling 138-129 victory over the Chicago Bulls on Friday night, but their fate now rests in the hands of other teams. As the NBA Cup group stage climaxes, the Celtics find themselves in a nail-biting position, needing specific results to secure a spot in the knockout round.
Jayson Tatum led the charge for Boston, erupting for a game-high 35 points and 14 rebounds. However, Payton Pritchard stole the show in the fourth quarter, dropping 19 of his season-high 29 points to help seal the win. The victory improved the Celtics’ record to 3-1 in Group C play with a +23 point differential.
Despite their impressive performance, the Celtics cannot win Group C outright. The Atlanta Hawks clinched the group by winning the head-to-head tiebreaker over Boston. This leaves the Celtics vying for a wildcard spot in the Eastern Conference, with their fate hinged on Tuesday night’s results.
Scenarios for Advancement
For the Celtics to advance to the NBA Cup knockout stage, they need the following scenarios to unfold:
- The Orlando Magic must defeat the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden.
- Additionally, either:
- The Milwaukee Bucks need to beat the Detroit Pistons by at least five points or
- The Pistons must defeat the Bucks by at least six points.
The point differential tiebreaker will be crucial in determining the Celtics’ fate. Currently, the Magic lead the Eastern Conference with an impressive +60 point differential, followed by the Bucks at +29, the Pistons at +28, and the Knicks at +15.
A Thrilling Contest
Friday’s game against the Bulls was a back-and-forth affair, featuring 1tenties and 14 lead changes. The Celtics’ offense was firing on all cylinders, particularly from beyond the arc, where they started 9-for-13 before cooling off.
Kristaps Porzingis, who recently returned from injury, contributed 14 points, while Jaylen Brown added 13 points on efficient 3-of-5 shooting from three-point range. The Bulls’ Nikola Vucevic matched Tatum’s 19 first-half points, including a scorching stretch where he hit four consecutive three-pointers.
Looking Ahead
As the Celtics await Tuesday’s results, head coach Joe Mazzulla emphasized the team’s focus on controlling what they can. “We just need to get to 16 wins and let the chips fall where they may,” Mazzulla stated, highlighting the team’s broader goal of success in the regular season.
The NBA Cup has added extra excitement to the early season, with point differentials and complex scenarios creating a tournament-like atmosphere. Their impressive victory over the Bulls has kept their hopes alive for the Celtics, but now they must play the waiting game as they eye a spot in the knockout stage of this inaugural NBA Cup competition.