by How the Celtics can advance to the NBA Cup knockout stage originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston
The Boston Celtics kept their NBA Cup chances alive with a thrilling win over the Chicago Bulls on Friday, but they still need help to clinch a spot in the quarterfinals.
Although Boston improved to 3-1 in group play with a +23 point differential, the Atlanta Hawks officially won East Group C with the head-to-head tiebreaker. This means that everything will be decided on Tuesday evening for the Cs.
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The point differential tiebreaker will decide the fate of the Celtics. To advance to the knockout stage, the C’s need the Orlando Magic to defeat the New York Knicks in their NBA Cup showdown at Madison Square Garden. They also need the Milwaukee Bucks to beat the Detroit Pistons by at least six points OR Detroit to beat Milwaukee by at least seven points.
The Magic currently lead the Eastern Conference with a +60 point differential in the NBA Cup. The Bucks are at +29, the Pistons at +28 and the Knicks at +15.
Before the NBA Cup drama unfolds, the Celtics will take a seven-game winning streak into a Sunday matchup against the East-leading Cleveland Cavaliers. Boston (16-3) can overtake Cleveland (17-3) for first place in the standings with a victory.
Tip-off for Sunday’s game is scheduled for 6 p.m. ET on NBC Sports Boston.
