CNN
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The second annual NBA Cup’s knockout part started with a Tuesday night time doubleheader of quarterfinal video games.
The first contest between the Orlando Magic and Milwaukee Bucks went all the way down to the wire with the Bucks profitable 114-109 at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee.
Down 107-106 late within the fourth quarter, Bucks guard Damian Lillard capitalized on the Magic’s defensive breakdown, driving simply to the basket for the go-ahead uncontested layup with lower than 33 seconds remaining in regulation.
The eight-time All-Star completed with 28 factors and 9 assists and the NBA’s main scorer, Bucks ahead Giannis Antetokounmpo, had a game-high 37 factors.
For the second time in as many editions of the in-season match, Milwaukee has superior to the Eastern convention semifinal.
The Bucks misplaced in final season’s semifinals to the Indiana Pacers, a reminiscence that was contemporary within the thoughts of Lillard.
“We didn’t have the best of expertise there final 12 months,” the 34-year-old mentioned after the victory. “So, I believe all of us are considering, going again and ending what we began final 12 months and doing it proper this time.”
Tuesday’s nightcap featured two of the NBA’s main scorers – Luka Dončić and the Dallas Mavericks traveled north to face the Oklahoma City Thunder and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
The Thunder tried an astonishing 31 three-pointers within the first half of the sport, connecting on 11 of them. Despite getting 18 factors from Gilgeous-Alexander whereas holding Dončić to simply two factors within the half, OKC solely took a three-point result in the intermission.
Oklahoma City put a stranglehold on the sport in third quarter, because the Thunder stretched their result in as many as 20 factors with Gilgeous-Alexander persevering with to key OKC’s assault.
The Mavericks mounted a comeback as Dončić and Kyrie Irving lastly discovered their offensive rhythm within the fourth. Dallas lower the deficit to eight factors, however the Thunder had been in a position to maintain the Mavs at bay and OKC coasted to a 118-104 win.
Gilgeous-Alexander led all scorers with 39 factors within the recreation, greater than Dončić (16) and Irving (17) mixed. The Thunder tried a mind-boggling 50 three-pointers, making 20 for a fair 40% capturing from lengthy vary.
“It had a little bit little bit of a playoff really feel, a little bit bit extra at stake than only a common season recreation. I’m pleased with the group. I’m pleased with the fellows. We rose to the second and beat a superb basketball group,” Gilgeous-Alexander mentioned after the sport.
The remaining pair of NBA Cup quarterfinal contests shall be performed on Wednesday night time.
The early recreation will happen at “The World’s Most Famous Arena” because the New York Knicks host the Atlanta Hawks, led by latest Madison Square Garden villain Trae Young.
In the late motion Wednesday, Steph Curry and the Golden State Warriors will take their entertaining model of basketball on the street to face the upstart Houston Rockets.
The Thunder will await the winner of that recreation whereas the Bucks will face the winner of the Hawks-Knicks tilt.
The semifinal video games will tip off on Saturday on the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, and the ultimate shall be performed on Tuesday on the identical venue.
