Boston’s 138-129 victory at the United Center kept Joe Mazzulla’s club alive in the NBA’s in-season tournament. The Celtics cannot win their group – Atlanta did so with its win over Cleveland earlier in the day – but can claim the Eastern Conference’s wild-card berth if they finish with the best point differential of the three second-place teams.

Boston, Chicago, and Atlanta are all 2-1 in the Eastern Conference Group C standings. Cleveland is 1-1 and Washington is 0-3. The Bulls will be the Group C champion if they beat the Celtics and the Hawks beat the Cavaliers. Chicago owns the tiebreaker over Atlanta based on its head-to-head victory.

Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) drives to the basket abasing Chicago Bulls guard Zach LaVine, right, during the second half of an Emirates NBA Cup basketball game, Friday Nov. 29, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Melissa Tamez) AP