Bucks beat Thunder 97-81 for NBA Cup title

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 go together 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.

“Everyone did their job,” Lillard mentioned. “We defended. We performed properly from the beginning of the sport throughout the end. I believe it simply confirmed what we have been constructing. I believe all of it got here out in our greatest sport 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 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 crew,” Antetokounmpo mentioned. “We’re getting higher. … We all know we’re leaving Vegas as a greater crew. I am so pleased with this group. Man, I am so pleased with this group.”

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 21 and Jalen Williams added 18 for the Thunder, who had scored no less than 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 unhealthy 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 troublesome evening offensively all the best way round for us. We did not rating practically sufficient factors, particularly within the second half, to offer ourselves an opportunity to win. However we are able to study from it, transfer ahead right here.”

It’s a sport 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 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, despite the fact that it will not be a part of the official file.

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 match that the NBA Cup was a precedence.

And so they left little doubt ultimately.

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

Antetokounmpo was much more succinct: “Job’s not performed,” 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 in opposition to 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 bought one other a couple 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 (despite the fact that 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.