Milwaukee Bucks, 3-Point Barrage Beat Thunder To Win NBA Cup

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Everybody has a fortunate quantity in Las Vegas. For the Milwaukee Bucks, it was 3.

And the NBA Cup was their prize.

Match MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 26 factors to associate with 19 rebounds and 10 assists, Damian Lillard added 23 factors and the Bucks linked on 17 3-pointers on the best way to beating the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder 97-81 within the NBA Cup title recreation on Tuesday evening.

Quest for the Cup full. pic.twitter.com/cVgT61eWgx

— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) December 18, 2024

“All people did their job,” Lillard mentioned. “We defended. We performed nicely from the beginning of the sport right through the end. I believe it simply confirmed what we’ve been constructing. I believe all of it got here out in our greatest recreation so far.”

Brook Lopez and Gary Trent Jr. every scored 13 for the Bucks, who joined the Los Angeles Lakers as the one champions of the 2-year-old occasion. A 19-5 Milwaukee run within the second half turned what was a five-point recreation right into a 19-point recreation early within the fourth, and the Bucks saved management the remainder of the best way.

“It’s nice, it’s nice for our group,” Antetokounmpo mentioned. “We’re getting higher. … We all know we’re leaving Vegas as a greater group. I’m so happy with this group. Man, I’m so happy with this group.”

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 21 and Jalen Williams added 18 for the Thunder, who had scored at the very least 99 factors in each recreation this season. However they sputtered in loads of methods Tuesday, getting outscored 51-15 from past the arc and capturing solely 34%.

“We didn’t shoot it nicely,” Gilgeous-Alexander mentioned. “However that’s by no means an excuse. … We’ve shot dangerous and received video games earlier than, in order that’s not an excuse.”

Isaiah Hartenstein had 16 factors and 12 rebounds for Oklahoma Metropolis, which was held to 31 factors after halftime.

“We did some good issues. We outscored them within the paint so clearly we did the job defensively on that finish,” Thunder coach Mark Daigneault mentioned. “However clearly a tricky evening offensively all the best way round for us. We didn’t rating almost sufficient factors, particularly within the second half, to present ourselves an opportunity to win. However we are able to study from it, transfer ahead right here.”

It’s a recreation that solely counted for match functions. There was about $300,000 in further bonus cash for Bucks gamers — they obtained $514,971 apiece, whereas the Thunder gamers obtained $205,988 every — however the win, the loss and the statistics from the sport received’t rely towards the common season.

Mired towards the underside of the NBA after a 2-8 begin, the Bucks have been on a tear since. This was their thirteenth win of their final 16 video games, despite the fact that it received’t be a part of the official document.

Irrespective of: When the Bucks emptied their bench with 1:37 left, Antetokounmpo pumped his fists prefer it was a real championship second.

He’s received greater video games — he and the Bucks captured the 2021 NBA title, in spite of everything. However they mentioned from the outset of this match that the NBA Cup was a precedence.

And so they left little doubt in the long run.

“We struggled popping out of the gates,” Bucks coach Doc Rivers mentioned. “Nobody right here doubted what we could be and who we could be and we simply hung in there. We caught collectively and that is the byproduct of a group sticking collectively. However we nonetheless have work to do.”

Antetokounmpo was much more succinct: “Job’s not achieved,” he mentioned.

His level was clear: There’s one other title to chase in June. However this was nonetheless a trophy second to have fun.

Takeaways

Bucks: Milwaukee performed with out guard Khris Middleton (non-COVID sickness) and nonetheless improved to an NBA-best 12-1 in NBA Cup video games, together with an ideal 7-0 this season. The Bucks’ solely in-season match loss was to Indiana in final 12 months’s semifinals.

Thunder: It was a uncommon evening of enjoying uphill for Oklahoma Metropolis, which trailed by as many as 20. The Thunder trailed by greater than 14 factors in solely two of their 25 video games up to now within the common season — getting down by 30 towards Golden State and by 21 to San Antonio.

Key second

No fewer than 5 gamers ended up on the ground, all scrapping for a unfastened ball with 9:12 left within the third quarter. Thunder ahead Lu Dort was hit with a technical, Daigneault obtained one other just a few seconds later and Lillard ended up with a five-point possession — two free throws for the techs, adopted by a 3-pointer.

Key stat

The Thunder are 20-1 this season when main after three quarters. They’re now 0-5 when tied or trailing going into the ultimate quarter (despite the fact that it is going to formally be 0-4 since this recreation received’t be counted).

Up subsequent

The Thunder go to Orlando on Thursday and Miami on Friday. The Bucks go to Cleveland on Friday and host Washington on Saturday.

What extra protection of the NBA? Take us with you, wherever you go.

Obtain the brand new & improved KSL Sports activities app from Utah’s sports activities chief. You’ll be able to stream stay radio, video and keep updated on your entire favourite groups.