How the Celtics and Joe Mazzulla are handling complex Playoff matchup with the Bulls
C’s may win handily and move on to the quarterfinals.’
The Celtics have multiple options to advance to the In-Season Tournament quarterfinals, despite the complexity of the circumstances.
Before playing the Bulls in the last group play match of the playoffs on Tuesday at TD Garden, the Celtics had a 2-1 record in Group C. The two wild card teams (one from each conference) and the champions of the six groups will move on to the quarterfinals the following week.
The C’s might move on as the Group C winner or the Eastern Conference wild card team, depending on the league’s overall standings. These are all of the current scenarios:
The Celtics win Group C if…
Celtics defeat Magic and Nets in a tiebreaker before the Nets win as well.
With 3-1 records, the Celtics, Magic, and Nets would be tied for first place in Group C in this scenario. Head-to-head record is the first tiebreaker, and all three clubs have a 1-1 record against one another. The points differential serves as the second tiebreaker. The C’s would need to defeat the Bulls by a minimum of 23 points given the Magic have a plus-22 differential going into Tuesday, the Nets have a plus-8 differential, and the Celtics have a zero.
Celtics win, finish second in Group C and win tiebreaker over any second-place team from another group with a 3-1 record, OR
– Cavs loss + Knicks loss + Heat loss + Nets loss + Celtics win tiebreaker over any second-place team from another group.
If the Celtics do not qualify for the quarterfinals, the NBA will schedule them two regular-season games to be played next Wednesday and Friday against opponents to be determined.
Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla does not seem to be approaching Tuesday’s game any differently because of the tournament stakes that are involved. While he respects the idea of the tournament, his priority and focus has remained on the long-term direction of his team.
“It’s not that it’s not important, but I haven’t put much thought into it,” Mazzulla said Monday. “I think whether it’s an in-season, preseason or postseason, go back to the Orlando game, if we’re not going to rebound the basketball on both ends of the floor and we’re going to turn it over, it doesn’t matter what game it is, we’re not going to win. So just trying the best we can to stick to the process of winning, and what that looks like regardless of the type of game.”
Luke Kornet echoed those comments, saying there’s only been “some awareness” to the tournament stakes heading into Tuesday.
“We’re also trying to build our habits and trying to just win every game we play in and play as well as we can,” Kornet said. “I don’t know, it’s kind of a strange situation, especially in the NBA. It’s not been a thing that’s really been a thought at all for years. I guess that soccer maybe is more of that type stuff I think? So it’s definitely like a weird core part of it. But I know we’re just trying to compete and get ready for Chicago, first and foremost go and get the win.”
Jayson Tatum said the In-Season Tournament has been cool and something to look forward to early in the season, but the Celtics star doesn’t agree with the point-differential tiebreaker. In Friday’s loss to the Magic, the game was decided and the Celtics starters were pulled in the final minute when Franz Wagner scored a layup with nine seconds left to put the Magic up 17. Dalano Banton, seemingly aware of the stakes, then raced the other way and missed a layup at the buzzer.
“The point-differential thing, I’m not the biggest fan of it because there were certain instances, I guess last Friday, where the game is already over and guys are still trying to score,” Tatum said. “It’s all about respecting the game and respecting your opponents so that part I’m really not a fan of because if you were on the opposite end of that you would feel some kind of way. So I understand. So just try to win the game however we can.”
Injury report
Jrue Holiday is questionable for Tuesday night’s game against the Bulls due to the sprained right ankle that has forced him out of the last two games. Mazzulla said the guard went through a workout on Monday and Holiday said he was doing “a little bit better.”
“I think we’ll kind of know how he responds to that tomorrow and see how he does in the shootaround,” Mazzulla said.
Kristaps Porzingis will remain out, as expected, due to his calf strain. Mazzulla said he’s making progress in his recovery.
“I haven’t quite asked him,” Mazzulla said. “I know we’re just taking it day by day, he seems to be getting a little bit better. It’s not necessarily caution. But, at the same time, I think he’ll be OK. It’s just dependent upon when he feels good.”
Derrick White is probable for Tuesday due to a non-COVID illness. Jaylen Brown was not on the injury report despite taking a hard fall in Sunday’s win over the Hawks that left him sore. Brown was chasing a loose ball when he collided with De’Andre Hunter, rolled over his back and landed awkwardly on the court. He was slow to get up but stayed in the game.
“I kind of feel like I got in a little car accident after taking that hit and that fall,” Brown said after the game. “Adrenaline is starting to wear off now, so I definitely can feel it a little bit. But I’ll be all right. I’m a tough guy.”
