The Group Stage of the NBA’s inaugural In-Season Tournament wraps up on Tuesday night with eight games. There’s still plenty at stake, with four of the six groups still up for grabs as well as the Wild Card spots in both conferences. The winners of each group, plus the top second-place team overall in each conference, will move on to the tournament itself in Las Vegas starting next week.
As the Boston Celtics get ready to host the Chicago Bulls on Tuesday night, everything is still on the table. At 2-1 they are currently in second place in East Group C, half a game behind the Orlando Magic (who are 3-1 and off on Tuesday) and tied with the Brooklyn Nets (who are 2-1 and play Toronto on Tuesday night). The Magic own the head-to-head tiebreaker over the Celtics, and the Celtics hold it over the Nets.
Depending on what happens on Tuesday night the Celtics can win their group, earn the Eastern Conference Wild Card spot, or be eliminated. A win doesn’t guarantee them a spot in the quarterfinals, but is needed if they still want to win the group outright.
So, what should Celtics fans be rooting for on Tuesday night? Here is a look at the scenarios…