Boston Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla talks with Chicago Bulls head coach Billy Donovan David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports

It's time to change the NBA tournament tiebreakers

The NBA's in-season tournament has been exciting. But the point differential tiebreaker is leading to unpleasant basketball.

During the fourth quarter of the Boston Celtics' blowout win over the Chicago Bulls, the Celtics employed the "Hack-A" strategy against Bulls center Andre Drummond, a notoriously poor free-threw shooter (47.6 percent for his career). Intentionally fouling a poor shooter isn't new, but doing it while leading by more than 30 points certainly is.

The reason was that Boston needed to win by at least 23 points to advance to the next round of the in-season tournament. Coach Joe Mazzulla was uncomfortable running up the score, as was star Jaylen Brown, who told reporters, "It's tough because that's just not how the game is supposed to be played. You've got to respect your opponents."

The Golden State Warriors may have cost themself a win by focusing too much on the tournament. Needing to win by 12 points or more, they played unusually aggressively with a big lead against the Sacramento Kings, and ultimately lost the game in the final seconds.

On TNT, Candace Parker had an elegant solution. Since tournament games count for the regular season, why not use regular-season standings as the tiebreaker?

While it might make the final day of the tournament less exciting and weird, switching from point differential does seem like it would spare feelings. Because as it is now, the tiebreakers mainly incentivize bad sportsmanship. Running up the score on the final night might be more fun for fans, but as Andre Drummond would likely agree, it also looks ugly.

More must-reads:

TODAY'S BEST
Watch: Chris Kreider's natural third-period hat trick shatters Hurricanes' comeback hopes
Dodgers starter undergoes season-ending UCL surgery
Knicks star ruled out for potential closeout game
Veteran NFL safety will either play for this team or retire in 2024
Former Red Wings head coach linked to open NHL job
How Patriots' Drake Maye has already impressed Jacoby Brissett
LeBron James, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Stephen Curry among Forbes' highest-paid athletes for 2024
Steve Cohen addresses if Mets could again be trade-deadline sellers
Tiger Woods ruins strong first round with sloppy finish at PGA Championship
Xander Schauffele makes history in first round of PGA Championship
NFL responds to speculation about Chiefs schedule and Taylor Swift
Despite hopes for change, NASCAR championship weekend will return to Phoenix in 2025
Chiefs will achieve something not done since 1927 with 2024 schedule
Caitlin Clark's debut was most-watched WNBA game in more than 20 years
Yankees' Aaron Judge comments on resurgence after bad slump
Odell Beckham Jr. reveals why he was 'hesitant' to join Dolphins
Lakers reportedly interested in adding three-time All-Star via trade
Luka Doncic fed off negative reactions in Game 5 win over Thunder
Celtics finally put away undermanned Cavaliers, advance to conference finals
Avalanche force Game 6 with big third period vs. Stars