Celtics Fall Short: NBA Cup Dreams Dashed as Magic Lose to Knicks

**Celtics' Path to the Knockout Stage:** To qualify for the knockout round, the Celtics needed a perfect storm of results. Their path was contingent on two specific outcomes: 1. The Orlando Magic had to defeat the New York Knicks. 2. Alternatively, the Knicks needed to win by 38 points or more. In tandem with this, the Celtics also relied on the Milwaukee Bucks to secure a victory over the Detroit Pistons by at least 6 points, or for the Pistons to win by 7. While the Bucks delivered a solid 128-107 win against Detroit, the Magic's 121-106 loss to the Knicks sealed the Celtics' fate. **Knicks and Magic: The Final Outcome:** As a result of these games, the Knicks emerged victorious in East Group A with a flawless 4-0 record in group play. Meanwhile, the Magic's performance earned them the East wild card, thanks to their impressive +45 point differential, which served as a crucial tiebreaker. The Celtics, despite tying with the Atlanta Hawks for the best record in East Group C at 3-1, fell short in the tiebreaker due to a previous loss against the Hawks on November 12. **Looking Ahead: Regular Season Focus:** With the NBA Cup out of reach, the Celtics will pivot their attention back to the regular season. They have two upcoming games scheduled, both of which will be broadcast on NBC Sports Boston: - **Thursday, Dec. 12:** Celtics vs. Pistons at 7:30 p.m. ET - **Sunday, Dec. 15:** Celtics at Wizards at 6 p.m. ET Their immediate focus will be on the Pistons, as they look to regroup and build momentum heading into the latter part of the season.