The Boston Celtics secured a spot in the In-Season Tournament quarterfinals by topping Group C in the Eastern Conference with a convincing 124-97 win over the Chicago Bulls on Tuesday night. Despite their pre-game reservations, the Celtics went all out to meet the necessary conditions, even resorting to the “Hack-A-Drummond” strategy with a substantial 30-point lead in the fourth quarter.
To provide context, the Celtics needed to win by a margin of at least 23 points, and the Brooklyn Nets had to defeat the Toronto Raptors by fewer than 20 points for them to clinch the group. This scenario unfolded as planned, resulting in a three-way tie between the Celtics, Nets, and Orlando Magic, all with 3-1 records in the group stage. In tiebreak situations, point differential becomes crucial, prompting the Celtics to pursue a substantial victory.
The Celtics initiated their quest impressively, establishing a double-digit lead in the first quarter fueled by Jaylen Brown’s performance and sharpshooting from beyond the arc. With a 19-point advantage at halftime, their aspirations began to materialize. Instead of easing off, the Celtics continued to dominate.
In the midst of the fourth quarter, the Celtics demonstrated their commitment to securing a significant win by intentionally sending Andre Drummond to the free-throw line multiple times. Known for his 54.8% free-throw shooting, Drummond struggled, going 0-4 from the line. These deliberate fouls turned into effective defensive stops for the Celtics, playing a pivotal role in extending their lead to as much as 35.
Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla acknowledged the unconventional strategy, expressing regret to Drummond but emphasizing its necessity given the circumstances. Bulls’ coach Billy Donovan, however, expressed his dissatisfaction with the tactic, particularly in putting Drummond in a challenging spot during a 30-point game.
The use of point differential as a tiebreaker is a novel concept in the NBA, prompting discussions about its appropriateness in a league historically averse to running up the score.