Everyone has a lucky number in Las Vegas. For the Milwaukee Bucks, it was 3.
And the NBA trophy was their prize.
Tournament MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 26 points to go along with 19 rebounds and 10 assists, Damian Lillard added 23 points and the Bucks connected on 17 3-pointers en route to a win over Oklahoma City Thunder 97-81 in the NBA Cup title game on Tuesday. at night.
Brook Lopez and Gary Trent Jr. each scored 13 for the Bucks, who joined the Los Angeles Lakers as the only champions of the 2-year-old event. A 19-5 run by Milwaukee in the second half turned a five-point game into a 19-point game early in the fourth, and the Bucks ended up in control the rest of the way.
“Good, good for our team,” Antetokounmpo said. “We’re getting better. … We know we’re leaving Vegas as a better team. I’m proud of this team. Man, I’m proud of this team.”
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 21 and Jalen Williams added 18 for the Thunder, who have scored at least 99 points in every game this season. But they floundered in many ways on Tuesday, getting outscored 51-15 from beyond the arc and shooting just 34 percent.
Isaiah Hartenstein had 16 points and 12 rebounds for Oklahoma City, which was held to 31 points after halftime.
The game is for tournament purposes only. There was about $300,000 in additional bonus money for Bucks players – they received $514,971 each, while Thunder players received $205,988 each – but wins, losses and game statistics will not count toward the regular season.
Down in the NBA after a 2-8 start, the Bucks have been miserable ever since. This was their 13th win in their last 16 games, although it will not be part of the official record.
No matter: When the Buckeyes emptied their bench with 1:37 left, Antetokounmpo pumped his fists like it was a real championship moment.
He won big games – he and the Bucks took the 2021 NBA title, after all. But they said right from the beginning of this competition that the NBA Cup is prioritized.
And they left no doubt in the end.
Damian Lillard and Giannis Antetokounmpo hug after winning the NBA trophy. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
“We struggled out of the gate,” Bucks coach Doc Rivers said. “No one here doubted what we could be and who we could be. We just stayed there. We stuck together and this is the result of the team coming together. But we still have work to do.”
Antetokounmpo was even more succinct: “The work is not done,” he said.
What is taken
Bucks: Milwaukee played without guard Khris Middleton (non-COVID illness) and still improved to an NBA-best 12-1 all-time in NBA Cup games, including a perfect 7-0 this season. The Buckeyes’ only loss in the regular season was to Indiana in last year’s semifinals.
Thunder: It was a rare night to play uphill for Oklahoma City, trailing by 20 points. The Thunder have trailed by more than 14 points in just two of their 25 games so far in the regular season – down by 30 against the Goldens. State and 21 to San Antonio.
Time is important
Fewer than five players were on the floor, all driving for a loose ball with 9:12 left in the third quarter. Thunder forward Lu Dort was hit by a technical, coach Mark Daigneault got another for a few seconds and Lillard ended up with five points – two technical free throws, followed by a 3-pointer.
Key figures
The Thunder are 20-1 this season when leading after three quarters. They are now 0-5 when tied or trailing going into the finals (although officially it will be 0-4 as this game will not count).
Next
The Thunder visit Orlando on Thursday and Miami on Friday. The Bucks travel to Cleveland on Friday and host Washington on Saturday.
It is reported by the Associated Press.
[Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account, follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily.]
Find out more from the National Basketball Association Follow your favorites to get information about sports, news and more
Source link