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The Milwaukee Bucks are NBA Cup champions after defeating the Oklahoma City Thunder 97-81 on Tuesday in Las Vegas.
Giannis Antetokounmpo’s 26-point, 19-rebound and 10-assist triple double led the way. He also excelled defensively, adding three blocks and two steals. Damian Lillard added 23 points (5-of-10 from three).
Milwaukee led 51-50 at the half but took control in the third quarter, outscoring OKC 26-14. The Bucks started the third quarter with back-to-back threes en route to a 13-3 run, and Antetokounmpo scored 12 points in the frame.
The Thunder couldn’t stop the Giannis-Lillard duo, but moreover, they couldn’t make buckets to keep pace with them.
OKC shot just 33.7 percent from the field and 5-of-32 from three-point range. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander dropped 21 points but shot 8-of-24 from the field (2-of-9 from three).
Isaiah Hartenstein added a productive 16-point, 12-rebound double-double, and Jalen Williams scored 18 points (with three blocks and two steals).
Ultimately, this was an exceptional win (and NBA Cup run) for a team that started 1-6 (and 4-9) before turning its season around. Milwaukee is now 14-11 with the momentum of an NBA Cup title in hand, and now momentum is on its side as the 2024 calendar year draws to a close.
In the meantime, fans praised Antetokounmpo and Lillard for a job well done.
KB @KBknowsball
There’s no way you’re watching what giannis has been doing and is doing tonight and still believe he has no argument for best in the world
This man has been unbelievable not only tonight but all season and you can clearly see his impact on both ends of the floor. pic.twitter.com/s1iTH6DM3d
At The Buzzer @AtTheBuzzer1
Damian Lillard every time he has to play the OKC Thunder in a meaningful game. pic.twitter.com/5Dyncz6cHv
The Bucks have a couple days off before visiting the NBA-leading Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday evening.
