The Boston Celtics remain in contention for the NBA Cup following a determined 108-96 victory over the Washington Wizards. This win improves their group stage record to 2-1 and enhances their point differential to +14, a crucial factor in the tournament’s tiebreaker rules, which also include head-to-head matchups.
The Celtics’ success came at a pivotal moment, as the Atlanta Hawks, currently leading Group C, also faced a setback with a 136-122 loss to the Chicago Bulls, dropping their record to 2-1. This situation leaves the door open for Boston to surpass Atlanta. If the Celtics secure a win against the Chicago Bulls in their next clash and the Hawks fall to the Cleveland Cavaliers, Boston could clinch the top position in the group.
However, if Atlanta manages to win against Cleveland, it would hold the tiebreaker advantage over the Celtics due to their earlier victory in the tournament opener. Despite this potential challenge, the Celtics can still make it to the knockout stage, even if they end up second in the group.
The format of the tournament allows for six group winners (three from each conference) to advance, along with two “wild card” teams, which are decided based on overall records and point differentials. This means that head coach Joe Mazzulla will likely prioritize running up the score against Chicago to improve their chances of being one of those wild card teams should they finish with a 3-1 record.
The Celtics will take a brief hiatus from NBA Cup play as they prepare for their upcoming games against the Minnesota Timberwolves and Los Angeles Clippers. The matchup against the Timberwolves is scheduled for Sunday at 3:30 p.m. ET, and fans can catch the action on NBC Sports Boston.
In summary, the Celtics are not only fighting for a spot in the knockout rounds but also anticipating an exciting finish to their group stage play, showcasing their resilience and competitive spirit as they chase their ambition in the NBA Cup.