Boston Celtics Clinch East Group C with Blowout Win Over the Chicago Bulls

The Celtics did their job, cruising past the Bulls, and the Nets beat the Raptors, resulting in Boston winning Group C, advancing to the In-Season Tournament quarterfinals.

David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports

Everything went the Boston Celtics' way Tuesday night as they advanced to the quarterfinals of the NBA's inaugural In-Season Tournament, clinching the East's Group C. 

As they needed to overcome their point differential of 23, they defeated the Chicago Bulls by 27, 124-97. The Celtics also needed the Brooklyn Nets to defeat the Toronto Raptors by less than 15, with the Nets just edging it out for Boston 115-103.

In the end, Joe Mazzulla went for it. Most of the Celtics' starters, including Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, and Al Horford, still remained in the game with Boston nearly up 30 with minutes to go, showing they were aware of the stakes and pulling to hang on to victory. They went to most of their bench to close out the end of the game, and they were able to prevail.

Luck was fully on the Celtics' side. Brooklyn came close to blocking the Celtics' pathway to advancing in Group C as they made a big run on the Raptors to finish the game after mostly a nail-biting fourth quarter. The Nets were up 115-100 on the Raptors, and OG Anunoby helped Boston secure things by hitting a triple at the buzzer. The Nets won 115-103, and the Celtics clinched Group C.

The Milwaukee Bucks defeated the Miami Heat in a thriller in Miami 131-124 to eliminate the Heat from In-Season Tournament contention.

The East quarterfinals are now set, with the Bucks now hosting the New York Knicks as the Wild Card team, and the Celtics will be hosted by the 4-0 Group A Indiana Pacers next week.

Further Reading

Celtics Share Their Perspective of NBA's Flawed but Successful In-Season Tournament

Celtics' Focus on Winning Habits Keys Blowout vs. Bulls, Helping Them Advance in In-Season Tournament

Joe Mazzulla Discusses Strategy Behind New Wrinkle Helping Celtics Win on the Margins

An Empowered Jaylen Brown Strives to Balance Scoring with Playmaking: 'I've Grown A Lot'

Here's What Stood Out as Celtics Overcame Poor Second Half vs. Hawks Sunday

Celtics' Loss to Magic Highlights Their Most Concerning Traits

Jaylen Brown, Kristaps Porzingis Discuss Their Quickly Cultivated Chemistry: 'An Automatic Connection'

Jrue Holiday Shares His Perspective on First Matchup vs. Bucks Since They Traded Him

Celtics Discuss Significance of Rivalry Win vs. 76ers for No. 1 Seed in East

Joe Mazzulla Believes Celtics' Second Unit is 'Starting to Develop an Identity'

Kristaps Porzingis Gives Glimpse of How He'll Boost Celtics Late-Game Offense

Under Joe Mazzulla, Celtics Rebuilding Brotherhood Between Past and Present