The Boston Celtics are gearing up for a crucial game this afternoon against the Orlando Magic that could propel them into the quarterfinals of the NBA's inaugural In-Season Tournament as the winners of Group C. With a victory, the Celtics will secure their berth, leaving other Group C teams - Orlando, Chicago, and Toronto - with at least two losses.

The Celtics hold a significant advantage, as they already have the head-to-head tie-breaker against the only team that could potentially tie them in this scenario - the Brooklyn Nets. Back in November, Boston secured a convincing 14-point win over the Nets, giving them the upper hand in any tying situation.

However, should the Celtics falter and lose against the Magic, the situation becomes more complicated. A loss would push Orlando to the top of Group C with a 3-1 record, while Boston and Brooklyn would have one more game to try to catch up and reach a similar record.

In this scenario, point differential would become a decisive factor. If all three teams finish with a 3-1 record, the team with the highest point differential would emerge as the winner of the group. Therefore, winning by a significant margin becomes crucial for the Celtics.

If the Celtics lose today and only Boston and Orlando finish with a 3-1 record, the Magic would secure the group's top spot based on their head-to-head win. Conversely, if Brooklyn and Orlando both finish with a 3-1 record, the Nets would claim the group based on their head-to-head victory over the Magic.

However, even if a team with a 3-1 record fails to win the group, there is still hope to clinch one of the two Wild Card spots in the Eastern Conference. In this case, point differential becomes even more vital.

The Celtics are well aware of the stakes, understanding that a victory today would secure them the top spot in Group C. However, should they face defeat, they would need a three-way tie with Brooklyn and Orlando and the best point differential among the three teams, or they would have to rely on point differential to secure a Wild Card spot. It's a scenario that has heightened the importance of this particular In-Season Tournament game for both the Celtics and the Magic.

As fans brace themselves for an intense matchup, let's take a look at the current Group C standings.