Everyone has a fortunate quantity in Las Vegas. For the Milwaukee Bucks it was 3.
And their prize was the NBA Cup.
Tournament MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 26 factors together with 19 rebounds and 10 assists, Damian Lillard added 23 factors and the Bucks related on 17 3-pointers en path to beating the Oklahoma City Thunder 97-81 within the championship sport NBA Cup Tuesday evening.
Brook Lopez and Gary Trent Jr. every scored 13 targets for the Bucks, who joined the Los Angeles Lakers as the only real champions of the 2-year-old occasion. A 19-5 Milwaukee run within the second half turned what was a five-point sport right into a 19-point one early within the fourth, and the Bucks remained in management the remainder of the best way.
“It’s nice, it is nice for our staff,” Antetokounmpo stated. “We’re getting higher. … We know we’re leaving Vegas a greater staff. I’m so happy with this group. Man, I’m so happy with this group.”
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 21 factors and Jalen Williams added 18 for the Thunder, who had scored a minimum of 99 factors in each sport this season. But they stuttered in some ways Tuesday, outscoring 51-15 from past the arc and taking pictures simply 34%.
Isaiah Hartenstein had 16 factors and 12 rebounds for Oklahoma City, which was held to 31 factors after halftime.
It’s a match that solely counted for the needs of the match. There was about $300,000 in further bonus cash for Bucks gamers – they obtained $514,971 every, whereas Thunder gamers obtained $205,988 every – however win, loss and sport statistics won’t rely in the direction of the season common.
Mired close to the underside of the NBA standings after a 2-8 begin, the Bucks have been on a tear ever since. This was their thirteenth win of their final 16 video games, though it won’t be a part of the official report.
No matter: When the Bucks emptied their bench with 1:37 left, Antetokounmpo pumped his fists prefer it was an actual championship second.
He received extra vital video games: in any case, he and the Bucks received the 2021 NBA title. But from the start of the match they stated that the NBA Cup was a precedence.
And ultimately they left no doubts.
Damian Lillard and Giannis Antetokounmpo hug after profitable the NBA Cup. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
“We struggled popping out of the gates,” Bucks coach Doc Rivers stated. “No one right here doubted what we may be and who we may be and we stayed there. We caught collectively and that is the results of a staff that sticks collectively. But we nonetheless have work to do.”
Antetokounmpo was much more succinct: “The work shouldn’t be performed,” he stated.
Takeaway
Bucks: Milwaukee performed with out guard Khris Middleton (non-COVID sickness) and nonetheless improved to an NBA-best 12-1 all-time in NBA Cup video games, together with an ideal 7-0 this season. The Bucks’ solely match lack of the season was to Indiana in final yr’s semifinals.
Thunder: It was a uncommon evening of uphill play for Oklahoma City, which trailed by as many as 20 factors. The Thunder trailed by greater than 14 factors in simply two of 25 video games to date within the common season, trailing by 30 to Golden. State and from 9pm in San Antonio.
Key second
No fewer than 5 gamers ended up on the ground, all combating for a free ball with 9:12 left within the third quarter. Thunder ahead Lu Dort was hit by a technical, coach Mark Daigneault acquired one other just a few seconds later, and Lillard discovered himself with a five-point possession: two free throws for the technicals, adopted by a 3-pointer .
Key statistic
The Thunder are 20-1 this season when main after three quarters. They at the moment are 0-5 when tied or trailing coming into the fourth quarter (though formally will probably be 0-4 since this sport won’t rely).
Next
The Thunder will go to Orlando on Thursday and Miami on Friday. The Bucks go to Cleveland on Friday and host Washington on Saturday.
Associated Press reporting.
(Want nice tales delivered proper to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account, comply with leagues, groups and gamers to obtain a customized e-newsletter each day.)
Get extra from the National Basketball Association Follow your favorites to get data on video games, information and extra
