The Celtics didn't win their group, but can still make the knockout stage of the NBA Cup under the right circumstances.

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

The Boston Celtics can wrap up Group C in the NBA Cup group stage on Friday night if they beat the Bulls in Chicago. But they'll also need a little help earlier in the afternoon.

The Boston Celtics have a chance to advance to the knockout stage of the NBA Cup on Friday. The team will be taking on the Chicago Bulls and Boston needs a few

Payton Pritchard scored 19 of his season-high 29 points in the fourth quarter to help Boston rally for a 138-129 win in Chicago. It was Boston’s seventh straight win and pulls them within a game of Cleveland for the top spot in the Eastern Conference. It also keeps the Celtics in contention for a wild-card spot in the NBA Cup.

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.

NBA Cup group play continues Friday as the Boston Celtics (15-3) face the Chicago Bulls (8-12) on the road. Tip-off from United Center is at 8 p.m. ET. Let's analyze BetMGM Sportsbook's NBA odds around the Celtics vs.

The Chicago Bulls are facing off against the Boston Celtics in a thrilling NBA Cup game that could have major NBA Cup implications. The Celtics have one of the deepest teams in the league, featuring a plethora of key role players including Derrick White,