In a game that left many scratching their heads, the Boston Celtics took on the Chicago Bulls in a crucial matchup for the NBA in-season tournament. With tie-breakers determined by point differential, the Celtics found themselves in the unusual position of needing to run up the score to secure their spot in the next round. However, their tactics drew criticism from Bulls coach Billy Donovan, sparking a heated exchange between the two teams.

The Celtics dominated the Bulls with a final score of 124-97, but it was the fourth quarter that raised eyebrows. Boston, already comfortably ahead by more than 30 points, resorted to intentionally fouling Bulls backup center Andre Drummond in an attempt to extend their lead even further. The move was strategic, as the Celtics knew they had to win by at least 23 points to secure a tie-breaker victory against the Orlando Magic and Brooklyn Nets in Group C of the in-season tournament.

Celtics head coach Joe Mazzula called for his team to intentionally foul Drummond, a decision that didn't sit well with Bulls coach Billy Donovan. Donovan approached Mazzula at halfcourt to address the tactic, but it did little to deter the Celtics. The controversial sequence was captured on video, amplifying the heated exchange between the two coaches.

The incident further fueled the ongoing debate surrounding the inaugural NBA in-season tournament. Celtics star Jayson Tatum recently expressed his dissatisfaction with the tournament's rules, which incentivize teams to win by large margins due to tie-breakers being determined by point differential. Tatum lamented the pressure it placed on teams to run up the score and criticized the lack of respect it showed to opponents.

After the game, Donovan shared his thoughts on the situation, understanding the Celtics' need to secure a favorable tie-breaker but feeling that intentionally fouling Drummond was unnecessary and embarrassing for the player. Mazzula later apologized to Donovan and Drummond for the controversial strategy.

The Celtics' victory secured their advancement to the next phase of the in-season tournament. Their next matchup will be against the Indiana Pacers on December 4th, with the winner progressing to face the victor of the New York Knicks versus the Milwaukee Bucks.

The incident involving the Celtics was not an isolated case, as other teams were also incentivized to run up the score in their final group play games. The New York Knicks and the Cleveland Cavaliers, for instance, were both aiming for a high point margin victory. Ultimately, the Knicks secured their spot with a +42 margin of victory, outpacing the Cavaliers' +29.

The controversy surrounding the Celtics' tactics and the in-season tournament tie-breakers has once again raised questions about the tournament's format. Some argue that changes should be made to ensure fairness and avoid potential risks associated with teams pushing for high-scoring blowouts. However, for now, the tournament continues to add excitement and intrigue to the regular season, even if it occasionally sparks controversy.

As the NBA in-season tournament progresses, fans and players alike will be closely watching how future tie-breakers are decided and whether adjustments will be made to address these concerns.