Bucks 97-81 Thunder (Dec 17, 2024) Game Recap

LAS VEGAS — — 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 related on 17 3-pointers on the best way to beating the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder 97-81 within the NBA Cup title sport on Tuesday evening.

“All people did their job,” Lillard mentioned. “We defended. We performed properly from the beginning of the sport throughout the end. I feel it simply confirmed what we have been constructing. I feel all of it got here out in our greatest sport 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 sport right into a 19-point sport early within the fourth, and the Bucks saved management the remainder of the best way.

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

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

“We did not shoot it properly,” Gilgeous-Alexander mentioned. “However that is by no means an excuse. … We have shot dangerous and gained 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 did not rating almost sufficient factors, particularly within the second half, to offer ourselves an opportunity to win. However we will be taught from it, transfer ahead right here.”

It’s a sport that solely counted for event 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 gained’t depend 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 will not be a part of the official report.

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

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

And so they left little question in the long run.

“We struggled popping out of the gates,” Bucks coach Doc Rivers mentioned. “Nobody right here doubted what we will be and who we will be and we simply hung in there. We caught collectively and that is the byproduct of a workforce 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 a good time.

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 event loss was to Indiana in final yr’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 to date 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 (although it’ll formally be 0-4 since this sport will not 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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AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA