Celtics Face Critical Showdown With Bulls, NBA Cup Berth On The Line
The Boston Celtics find themselves in a familiar position, needing a win – and potentially a lopsided one – against the Chicago Bulls to secure their spot in the NBA Cup quarterfinals.
As the Eastern Conference Group C standings stand, the Celtics (2-1), Atlanta Hawks (2-1), and Chicago Bulls (2-1) are locked in a three-way tie. Boston faces Chicago on Friday night, while the Hawks host the Cleveland Cavaliers in a matinee matchup earlier that day.
The Celtics’ path to the knockout stage depends heavily on the outcome of these two games.
If Atlanta loses to Cleveland, Boston needs only to defeat Chicago to secure first place in Group C and an automatic berth in the quarterfinals. If both the Celtics and Hawks win, Boston would be forced into a tiebreaker scenario. Atlanta currently holds the head-to-head advantage, meaning the Celtics would need to hope for a wild-card spot, which goes to the second-place team in each conference with the best group-play record and point differential. After securing
A defeat for the Celtics in Chicago – which entered Wednesday with an overall record of 8-11 and the league’s eighth-worst net rating – would eliminate them from NBA Cup contention.
“We want to win every game when we come in there,” Celtics reserve center Neemias Queta said when asked about the allure of NBA Cup bonuses. “Whether it’s a Cup game, whether it’s a regular-season game, playoffs – it doesn’t matter. You come in there trying to play 48 minutes of great basketball and trying to win.” He noted, however, that financial incentives add motivation for players further down the depth chart.
Running Up The Score?
This isn’t the first time the Celtics have faced pressure to run up the score in the NBA Cup. Last year, needing a lopsided win over the Bulls to advance, head coach Joe Mazzulla employed unconventional tactics, playing his starters late in a blowout and strategically fouling poor free-throw shooter Andre Drummond.
“It’s something you never really did before, never really thought about,” guard Derrick White said, calling the experience of needing to win by a certain margin “weird.”
While the Celtics ultimately prevailed, exceeding the necessary point differential to advance, this year’s situation highlights the unique challenges of the NBA Cup’s group-play format.
Defensive Focus Remains Key
Despite the emphasis on potential scoring streaks, Mazzulla reaffirmed his commitment to overall defensive improvement.
“I like where we’re at defensively from a competitive standpoint. I like where we’re at, where our reads and coverages have been. We have to get better at protecting the rim,” he said.
The Celtics’ defensive rating is slightly better this season (110.2) than last year (110.6), suggesting a solid foundation. Yet, the team acknowledged vulnerability in rim protection with Kristaps Porzingis missing the first 17 games of the season. He has since returned to bolstering their defensive lineup.
“I think our defense statistically is where it was last year at this point,” Mazzulla noted, “So Defensive issues, the fact that at times, we don’t protect the rim, that’s just the easiest thing to see and go to, because it’s a layup, and you’re supposed to easily take those away all the time.”
What are the Bulls’ strengths and weaknesses going into the game against the Celtics based on their overall record and the points made in the interview?
## Celtics on the Brink: A Critical Showdown Looms
**(Interviewer):** Joining me today is [Guest Name], NBA analyst, to talk about the Boston Celtics’ high-stakes matchup against the Chicago Bulls this Friday. The Celtics are in a tight race for a spot in the NBA Cup quarterfinals. [Guest Name], what’s the situation?
**(Guest):** It’s a crucial game for the Celtics, no doubt about it.They’re locked in a three-way tie with the Atlanta Hawks and Chicago Bulls for the top spot in Group C [1]. Their fate hinges on two games: the Hawks’ matchup against the Cavaliers earlier that day and, of course, their own game against the Bulls.
**(Interviewer):** So, there are a few different scenarios at play here. Walk us through them.
**(Guest):** Absolutely. If the Hawks lose to Cleveland, the Celtics can secure first place in the group and a direct path to the quarterfinal by beating the Bulls. However, if both the Celtics and Hawks win, it gets complicated. The Hawks won their head-to-head matchup against the Celtics, so Boston would need to hope for a wild-card spot.
**(Interviewer):** A wild-card spot is a bit of a long shot, wouldn’t you say?
**(Guest):** It is, but it’s not impossible. Essentially, they need to be the second-best team in their conference with the best group-play record and a strong point differential, which is achievable but requires them to win convincingly against the Bulls.
**(Interviewer):** And what about their opponent, the Bulls? They haven’t exactly been a powerhouse this season.
**(Guest):** True, their overall record is 8-11 [1], but they shouldn’t be underestimated. Every game is important, especially with Cup aspirations on the line.
**(Interviewer):** Celtics center Neemias Queta was quoted saying they want to win every game, regardless of the circumstances. Does that give you any insight into their mindset?
**(Guest):** It certainly shows they have the right attitude. They understand the importance of this game and are determined to leave it all on the court.
**(Interviewer):** So, what’s your prediction for this Friday night showdown?
**(Guest):** I think it will be a close and competitive game. The Celtics are the favorites, but the Bulls will fight hard. It will likely come down to the wire, with the Celtics needing a strong performance to secure their spot in the NBA Cup quarterfinals.
**(Interviewer):** Thank you for your insights, [Guest Name]. It’s certainly shaping up to be a thrilling matchup.
