### Celtics Employ Strategic Tactics to Secure NBA Cup Victory

The Boston Celtics’ narrow path to NBA Cup success was bolstered by some savvy play-calling from head coach Joe Mazzulla on Friday night. Despite not having full control over their fate in the tournament, Mazzulla leveraged an unorthodox strategy to maximize point differential, reminiscent of a similar situation nearly a year ago.

Facing the Chicago Bulls, the Celtics’ tactics came into sharp focus during the final seconds of their 138-129 victory. Last year, Mazzulla had made waves by intentionally fouling Andre Drummond, and this time around, he employed another unconventional move. With the game already clinched but point differential at stake, Mazzulla called a timeout with just 1.4 seconds left, his team leading by six points.

Drawing up a last-second play, Jayson Tatum inbounded the ball to Sam Hauser, who nailed a corner three-pointer at the buzzer. This Hail Mary shot extended Boston's lead to nine points, crucially enhancing their point differential to plus-23 and wrapping up a 3-1 NBA Cup record.

Mazzulla explained the reasoning behind the tactic during NBC Sports Boston's postgame coverage. "The point differential kind of eliminates all the unwritten rules that you're supposed to follow," he said. "It gives you a chance to practice drawing up plays in high-pressure situations."

The playoff hopes of the Celtics hinge not only on their own performance but also on the results of upcoming Eastern Conference matchups. For Boston to secure a spot in the knockout round in Las Vegas, they require specific outcomes involving the Milwaukee Bucks, Detroit Pistons, Orlando Magic, and New York Knicks. Certain point spreads in these games could tilt the balance in Boston's favor.

Regardless of the outcome, one thing is clear: Mazzulla’s willingness to think outside the box adds an extra layer of excitement to the regular season, energizing both players and spectators alike.