Tag: in-season tournament

Did Boston Celtics vs. Chicago Bulls sell you on the in-season tournament?

The Celtics now advance to the first round of the tournament, facing the Indiana Pacers with a chance to win the league’s first in-season tournament.

The Boston Celtics secured a spot in the NBA’s new in-season tournament by defeating the Chicago Bulls soundly 124-97 at TD Garden on Tuesday evening. The victory, coupled with a favorable outcome in the Brooklyn Nets vs. Toronto Raptors game taking place at the same time, propelled the Celtics to the next stage of the in-season tourney.

Despite reservations from Boston head coach Joe Mazzulla about the tournament’s importance to the ball club’s designs on a league-record 18th banner, the team demonstrated a strong commitment to winning the game in a way that would have them advance with luck on Brooklyn’s end of the bargain, ultimately victorious by a margin exceeding the required 23 points.

The Celtics now advance to the first round of the tournament, facing the Indiana Pacers with a chance to win the league’s first in-season tournament.

The hosts of the CLNS Media “Garden Report” podcast weighed in on the win postgame; check it out above!

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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Chicago Bulls’ Billy Donovan no fan of in-season point differentials

But the Chicago head coach understands why Boston’s Joe Mazzulla went for the big blowout win.

Chicago Bulls head coach Billy Donovan made it clear to the media postgame that he is no fan of the in-season tournament‘s point differential component and how that wrinkle in deciding tiebreakers caused the Boston Celtics to run the score up even when ahead by a virtually insurmountable lead in the Celtics’ 124-97 victory over the Bulls at TD Garden on this past Tuesday night.

“I didn’t like that,” he explained via MassLive’s Souichi Terada. But (Mazzulla) was great when we talked. I understand what they were trying to do. And listen, this is for the league. So I understand.”

“But this is what the league has done (now) that they’ve made this point differential thing (important).”

For his part, Mazzulla also apologized for the situation in his own postgame availability as well as to Donovan in-game. “I apologize(d) to Andre Drummond for doing that,” offered the second-year Celtics coach.

“But it gave us the best chance considering the circumstances we were in.”

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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On the Boston Celtics obliterating the Chicago Bulls to advance in the in-season tournament

Despite some hiccups, including a rough fourth quarter for Jayson Tatum, the team put together the necessary margin of victory to advance.

The Boston Celtics delivered a dominating outing against the Chicago Bulls at TD Garden on Tuesday evening, securing a spot in the NBA’s new in-season tournament quarterfinals as a result of their blowout win.

The Celtics’ superior play was evident as they crushed the Bulls 124-97, and key players like Jaylen Brown, Al Horford, and Jrue Holiday showed off their offensive chops. Despite some hiccups, including a rough fourth quarter for Jayson Tatum, the team put together the necessary margin of victory to advance with a high enough point differential. The frequent election to foul Bulls big man Andre Drummond — called by some “hack-a-Drummond” —  rankled players on both teams, as effective as it ended up being for Boston.

The hots of the CLNS Media “How Bout Them Celtics!” podcast weighed in on the controversial victory on their most recent episode.

Check it out above!

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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Holiday: ‘I don’t like it, but I understand’ point differential in win vs. Chicago Bulls

“I guess maybe there’s some things I don’t agree with, but I also know that there are rules,” said the UCLA alum.

The Boston Celtics secured a 124-97 victory against the Chicago Bulls on Tuesday, propelling them to the in-season tournament quarterfinals via some unorthodox methods to get the necessary point differentials that some players — even on the Celtics — found somewhat distasteful.

One such player was veteran floor general Jrue Holiday, who said via NBC Sports Boston (h/t to Boston Dot Com’s Trevor Haas) that it was “a little weird” for the team’s starters to stay on the floor with a 30-point lead. “I guess maybe there’s some things I don’t agree with, but I also know that there are rules,” said the UCLA alum.

Initially focused on securing a win rather than a specific margin, the Celtics found themselves in a position where the margin mattered. Winning by 22 or fewer points wouldn’t have been enough, putting their potential tournament advancement at risk.

“We also want to win,” added Holiday. “We want to make the tournament and have the best seed that we can.”

“I don’t like it, but I understand it,” he suggested, echoing his peers on both teams regarding the introduction of point differential to NBA basketball.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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The Boston Celtics intentionally foul Andre Drummond while up by 32 points

The intentional fouls on Andre Drummond rankled some opinions about how the game should be played, but those players are still thinking about NBA games in their usual context.

The Boston Celtics used a controversial strategic approach during an in-season tournament game against the Chicago Bulls at TD Garden on Tuesday night, intentionally fouling Bulls big man Andre Drummond while holding a 32-point lead.

This unconventional tactic was tied to their goal of getting a large enough point differential to advance in the in-season tournament. This led to a brief conversation between Boston head coach Joe Mazzulla and Chicago head coach Billy Donovan. Despite the game being well under control, the Celtics focused on getting that point differential, which got them to the knockout round with the Brooklyn Nets beating the Toronto Raptors to seal the deal.

The intentional fouls on Andre Drummond rankled some opinions about how the game should be played, but those players are still thinking about NBA games in their usual context.

The folks behind the NBA on ESPN YouTube channel put together a video showing how that all unfolded. Check it out in the clip embedded above!

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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Reacting to the Boston Celtics’ win over the Chicago Bulls, advancing in the in-season tournament

In a compelling display of dominance, the Boston Celtics secured a victory to take the NBA’s new in-season tournament Group C with an impressive 124-97 win over the Chicago Bulls.

In a compelling display of dominance, the Boston Celtics secured a victory to take the NBA’s new in-season tournament Group C with an impressive 124-97 win over the Chicago Bulls, showing off their skill on both ends of the court in the process. The victory not only secured their position atop the group to advance to the quarterfinals but also showcased their ability to control the game on multiple fronts.

Defensively, Boston exhibited a solid game plan, effectively limiting the scoring opportunities for Chicago Tuesday night. Their defensive capabilities were evident in the mere 97 points allowed, reflecting a cohesive effort by the team to thwart the Bulls’ offense.

NBC Sports Boston’s Eddie House, Brian Scalabrine and Amina Smith broke down the win and the in-season tournament implications it brings on “Postgame Live”.

Check it out in the clip embedded above!

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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NBA Twitter reacts to Warriors being eliminated from in-season tournament after collapse vs. Kings

After the Warriors’ collapse against the Kings eliminated their chance of moving on in the in-season tournament, NBA Twitter exploded with reactions.

With a 24-point lead in the first half on Tuesday, the Golden State Warriors looked to be cruising toward a win over the Sacramento Kings and a ticket to the knockout stage of the in-season tournament.

However, the second half told a different story.

Although the Warriors still controlled the game for most of the half, fouls and turnovers cracked the door open for De’Aaron Fox, Malik Monk and the Kings.

As the Warriors piled up fouls, the Kings did damage at the line, racking up 19 points on 30 attempts from the line. With the Warriors needing a win by 12 or more points to punch a ticket to the next round of the in-season tournament, the Kings quietly started to mount a late comeback.

With their lead dwindling, and the Warriors clinging to a four-point lead, Steph Curry and Draymond Green each dished a costly turnover and the Kings took advantage.

After hitting a 3 to cut Golden State’s lead to one, Monk came through clutch again with a circus shot that fell with seven seconds remaining to steal the game in favor of Sacramento, 124-123.

With their collapse in Sacramento, the Warriors were eliminated from the NBA’s first in-season tournament in group play.

After the Warriors’ rough loss against the Kings, the NBA community on X, formerly Twitter, erupted with reactions. Here’s a look at what fans and analysts were saying on Tuesday evening on social media.

This post originally appeared on Warriors Wire! Follow us on Facebook and Twitter! 

Celtics win Group C, advance to in-season tournament knockout round after chaotic Tuesday night

The Celtics advanced to the next stage of the NBA in-season tournament during a chaotic slate of games Tuesday night.

The Boston Celtics will advance to the knockout round of the NBA’s inaugural in-season tournament following a loud 124-97 victory over the Chicago Bulls Tuesday evening. After the Celtics host the Philadelphia 76ers this Friday, they will then head out to face the Indiana Pacers for the next stage of the tournament and further their chances of winning the 2023-24 NBA Cup.

The Celtics needed a little help to advance in the tournament. Boston entered the game in third place in Group C by virtue of point differential, and needed to win by at least 23 points over the Bulls. Likewise, the Celtics needed a victory from the Brooklyn Nets, who ended up defeating the Toronto Raptors 115-102 at home. With those results, Boston and Brooklyn ended group play with a 3-1 record, but because the Celtics won so handily over Chicago, they finished the round with a greater point differential and will advance as a result.

If the Celtics defeat the Pacers early next week in the quarterfinals, they will head to Las Vegas. Sin City will host the last two games of the tournament later next week.

What comes next for Sixers after in-season tournament elimination?

So what comes next for the Philadelphia 76ers after they were eliminated from the in-season tournament?

The inaugural in-season tournament has ended for the Philadelphia 76ers. Despite going 2-2 in group play with home losses to the Indiana Pacers and the Cleveland Cavaliers, the Sixers were still alive for a wild-card berth heading into the final night of group play on Tuesday.

However, it was very wishful thinking to believe the Sixers would have everything break right for them on Tuesday. They needed losses by the New York Knicks, the Cavs, the Miami Heat, the Boston Celtics and the Brooklyn Nets to advance to the knockout round.

None of those things happened, with the exception of Miami falling to the Milwaukee Bucks. Now, the question becomes what’s next?

The Sixers will take on the Celtics on Friday, but they do not have a game on their schedule again until Dec. 11 when they host the Washington Wizards.

The NBA will add games to the Sixers’ schedule against two of the Eastern Conference teams that have been eliminated from the in-season tourney and Philly is not already scheduled to face four times. The rules are extremely tough to explain, so here is what’s on the NBA’s official website:

A formulaic approach will determine the matchups for these games using the Group Play standings in each conference (5th-15th). Two of the 22 games will be scheduled cross-conference since there will be an odd number of teams in each conference that do not advance to the Quarterfinals. These cross-conference games will be scheduled between bottom-finishing teams in the Group Play stage subject to travel constraints, and no team will play more than one of its two games cross-conference. The other 20 games will be scheduled within conference featuring teams that are otherwise scheduled to play each other three times over the course of the season wherever possible.

So that’s that! The NBA will schedule two games for the Sixers in the coming days and it will be interesting to see who Philadelphia will face off against.

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PHOTOS – Boston vs. Chicago: Celtics crush Bulls 124-97, advance to IST quarterfinals

Let’s take a look at some of the best moments captured in images in the Celtics’ 18th game of the 2023-24 NBA season vs. the Chicago Bulls.

The Boston Celtics hosted the Chicago Bulls at TD Garden on Tuesday night needing to win by 23 points to keep their in-season tournament (IST) hopes alive on the same night the Brooklyn Nets would need to beat the Toronto Raptors, and despite those long odds, Boston prevailed 124-97 and advanced to the IST quarterfinals.

With their biggest lead as much as 35 points, a night shooting 52.2% overall and 42.9% from beyond the arc went a long way toward sparking the Celtics’ win. And a season-high 36 assists added to a 15-board rebounding lead did the rest for Boston with all five starters scoring in double figures.

Let’s take a look at some of the best moments captured in images in the Celtics’ 18th game of the 2023-24 NBA season vs. the Chicago Bulls.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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