LAS VEGAS (AP) — Everyone has a fortunate quantity in Las Vegas. For the Milwaukee Bucks, it was 3.
And the NBA Cup was their prize.
Tournament MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 26 factors to go together with 19 rebounds and 10 assists, Damian Lillard added 23 factors and the Bucks linked on 17 3-pointers on the way in which to beating the Oklahoma City Thunder 97-81 within the NBA Cup title recreation on Tuesday night time.
Milwaukee Bucks ahead Bobby Portis (9) celebrates after a 3 level basket. (AP Photo/Ian Maule)
“Everybody did their job,” Lillard stated. “We defended. We performed properly from the beginning of the sport during the end. I feel it simply confirmed what we’ve been constructing. I feel all of it got here out in our largest recreation up to now.”
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 way in which.
“It’s nice, it’s nice for our staff,” Antetokounmpo stated. “We’re getting higher. … We know we’re leaving Vegas as a greater staff. 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 not less than 99 factors in each recreation this season. But they sputtered in loads of methods Tuesday, getting outscored 51-15 from past the arc and taking pictures solely 34%.
“We didn’t shoot it properly,” Gilgeous-Alexander stated. “But 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 City, which was held to 31 factors after halftime.
Milwaukee Bucks ahead Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) shoots over Oklahoma City Thunder heart Isaiah Hartenstein (55). (AP Photo/Ian Maule)
“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 stated. “But clearly a troublesome night time offensively all the way in which round for us. We didn’t rating practically sufficient factors, particularly within the second half, to offer ourselves an opportunity to win. But we will study from it, transfer ahead right here.”
It’s a recreation that solely counted for match functions. There was about $300,000 in extra bonus cash for Bucks gamers — they bought $514,971 apiece, whereas the Thunder gamers bought $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, although it received’t be a part of the official file.
Milwaukee Bucks head coach Doc Rivers watches his staff play through the first half of the NBA Cup basketball match Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Ian Maule)
No matter: 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. But they stated from the outset of this match that the NBA Cup was a precedence.
And they left little doubt ultimately.
Milwaukee Bucks guard Damian Lillard (0) lifts up the NBA Cup whereas ahead Giannis Antetokounmpo (34), left, and heart Brook Lopez (11), proper, have fun after their staff’s victory. (AP Photo/Ian Maule)
“We struggled popping out of the gates,” Bucks coach Doc Rivers stated. “No one 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 staff sticking collectively. But we nonetheless have work to do.”
Antetokounmpo was much more succinct: “Job’s not executed,” he stated.
His level was clear: There’s one other title to chase in June. But 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 yr’s semifinals.
Thunder: It was a uncommon night time of taking part in uphill for Oklahoma City, which trailed by as many as 20. The Thunder trailed by greater than 14 factors in solely two of their 25 video games thus far within the common season — getting down by 30 in opposition to Golden State and by 21 to San Antonio.
Oklahoma City Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault yells through the first half of the championship recreation in opposition to the Milwaukee Bucks within the NBA Cup basketball match Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Ian Maule)
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 bought one other a number of 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 (although it’s 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.
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