Boston’s NBA Cup Fate Rides on Friday’s Battle in Chicago
For the Boston Celtics, Friday night’s game against the Bulls isn’t your typical late-November road matchup against a struggling team. It’s a high-stakes battle with Group C of the NBA In-Season Tournament on the line.
The Celtics sit at 2-1 in group play, just like the Bulls and Atlanta Hawks. Every game is crucial. A win over Chicago (8 p.m. ET on NBC Sports Boston) keeps Boston’s hopes alive.
Here’s why Friday’s game is so significant:
A Crowded Group C Playoff Picture
The Bulls currently lead the group with a 2-1 record. Complicating things further? Not just the Bulls & Hawks sporting identical 2-1 records but also tiebreakers. If tied, the top spot comes down to head-to-head results & point differential.
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Two Paths to Advancement
The Celtics are in control of their own destiny — but there are two paths to reaching the quarterfinals.
Scenario 1: Cavs Defeat Hawks
The simplest path to the quarterfinals would be a Cavs win over the Hawks (2:30 p.m. ET) combined with a Celtics victory against Chicago.
With a win, Boston would secure the No. 1 seed in Group C thanks to its head-to-head victory over the Cavaliers from earlier this month. They’d host a quarterfinal game either Tuesday, December 12th or Wednesday, December 13th.
Scenario 2: Hawks Win Over The Cavs
A Hawks win over the Cavaliers significantly complicates matters for the Celtics. If both the Celtics and the Hawks come away with wins, Atlanta takes the group thanks to beating Boston in their earlier meeting.
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How are tiebreakers determined in the In-Season Tournament’s Group C standings?
## Celtics’ In-Season Tournament hopes hinge on Bulls showdown
**Anchor:** Welcome back to the show. Joining us tonight is Celtics analyst, Mike Green, to break down this crucial Friday night matchup against the Bulls. Mike, thanks for being here.
**Mike Green:** Glad to be with you. This is a bigger game than most people realize this early in the season.
**Anchor:** Absolutely. We’ve got the Celtics, the Bulls, and the Hawks all tied at 2-1 in Group C. Can you explain just how high the stakes are for Boston on Friday?
**Mike Green:** With such a tight race, every point matters. A win against Chicago keeps Boston in control of their own destiny. If they lose, they become reliant on other teams’ results and tiebreakers, which can be tricky.
**Anchor:** You mentioned tiebreakers. What are the key factors that will determine the winner of Group C if there’s a tie?
**Mike Green:** This comes down to head-to-head records and point differential. Boston already has a win over Atlanta, which is good. But losing to Chicago would make them vulnerable to a tiebreaker scenario.
**Anchor:** So what do you think we can expect in terms of the intensity and atmosphere on Friday night?
**Mike Green:** Expect a playoff-like atmosphere. Both teams understand the urgency. The Bulls are playing well at home, but Boston has shown they can win on the road. It’s going to be a very exciting game.
