The scenarios: How Celtics can stay alive in NBA Cup

The Celtics stayed alive in the second annual NBA Cup Friday night with a 138-129 win over the Bulls. However, despite improving to 3-1 in East: Group C (with a +23 point differential), the Celtics need help from their conference rivals to advance in the in-season tournament.

That's because the Hawks officially won Group C due to a tiebreaker over the Celtics — they beat Joe Mazzulla's team on Nov. 12. 

For Boston to advance to the quarterfinals, one of the following three scenarios must play out during Tuesday's NBA Cup games:

Scenario 1: The Magic (3-0 in East: Group A) must defeat the Knicks (3-0 in East Group A) to clinch their group. This will help the Celtics (+23) due to their points differential lead over the Knicks (+15).

Scenario 2: The Bucks (3-0 in East: Group B) must defeat the Pistons (3-0 in East Group B) by six points or more.

Scenario 3: The Pistons (3-0 in East: Group B) must defeat the Bucks (3-0 in East Group B) by seven points or more.

If any of these three scenarios plays out, the Celtics will qualify for the quarterfinals based on their point differential. Regardless of the outcome, Boston would be tied with the same record (3-1) with either the Bucks, Pistons, Magic or Knicks. 

After they dug themselves a hole in the NBA Cup with a loss to the Hawks on Nov. 12, the Celtics were nearly eliminated from the tournament Friday when they conceded a 102-98 lead to the Bulls early in the fourth quarter. However, a barrage of late threes from Payton Pritchard helped Boston outscore Chicago, 42-33, in the final period to seal the win. 

In the lead-up to Tuesday's NBA Cup group-stage conclusion, the Celtics will clash with the Cavaliers on Sunday in a marquee tie. The Celtics (16-3) can surpass the Cavaliers (17-3) for the top seed in the East with a win.