The Boston Celtics made it clear once the NBA Cup commenced that the defending champs would go all-in on booking their trip to Las Vegas.
Following a three-day break heading into Thanksgiving Day, the Celtics returned to action by kicking off a two-game road trip in the Windy City and continuing the group stage. Boston and the Chicago Bulls both enter Friday night’s battle with a 2-1 record, although the chances that Joe Mazzulla’s Celtics seize a spot in the knockout stage have become increasingly more dicey.
Since the Atlanta Hawks defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers, 117-101, earlier in the afternoon, the NBA Cup group C standings are as follows: Atlanta (3-1) in first place, Chicago in second place with a plus-15 point differential and Boston in third place with a plus-14 point differential. That means the Celtics need to not only defeat the Bulls but do so convincingly to earn a large enough point differential that’ll place Boston ahead of all teams in the Eastern Conference with an identical 3-1 record.
Here are a few more scenarios, although more complex, that could also get the Celtics a wild-card spot in the knockout stage, per the NBA:
1.) Boston wins by 16 or more points in regulation, plus Detroit Pistons loss to Indiana Pacers, plus Orlando Magic loss to Brooklyn Nets.
2.) Boston wins by 16 or more points in regulation plus the Pistons lose, and the Celtics end the night better point differential than the Magic.
3.) Bostons wins by 16 or more points in regulation plus the Magic lose, and the Celtics end the night with a better point differential than the Pistons.
4.) Boston wins by 16 or more points in regulation plus the Celtics end the night with a better point differential than the Pistons and the Magic.
It’s not the ideal situation, however, Mazzulla does enjoy embracing the uncomfortable feeling of overcoming adverse positions.
Boston, for the first time all season, will take the floor with a completely blank injury report as Luke Kornet, who was probable with a right hamstring strain, was upgraded to available. With Kristaps Porzingis, too, back and fresh off his season debut Monday night against the Los Angeles Clippers, the Celtics can’t be counted out of Las Vegas yet.
