The Bulls pushed Friday's NBA Cup loss to the visiting Celtics into the final minutes with 20 3-pointers, which is a season-high for a Boston opponent.

Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) drives to the basket abasing Chicago Bulls guard Zach LaVine, right, during the second half of an Emirates NBA Cup basketball game, Friday Nov. 29, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Melissa Tamez) AP

Boston’s 138-129 victory at the United Center kept Joe Mazzulla’s club alive in the NBA’s in-season tournament. The Celtics cannot win their group – Atlanta did so with its win over Cleveland earlier in the day – but can claim the Eastern Conference’s wild-card berth if they finish with the best point differential of the three second-place teams.