Giánnis Antetokoúnmpo’s Milwaukee Bucks won the second edition of the NBA Cup by dominating the Oklahoma City Thunder in the final (97-81) on Tuesday evening in Las Vegas.
Named best player of the tournament, Antetokoúnmpo delivered an MVP performance, with a triple-double at 26 points, 19 rebounds and 10 assists, also adding three blocks and two steals.
Undefeated in seven games in this competition created last year to make the regular season more attractive, the Bucks were held by the Thunder in the first period (51-50), before taking off by winning the third quarter 26 -14.
“I’m so proud”
“It’s our identity,” Antetokoúnmpo commented on the surge of the Bucks, who limited the Thunder offense to just 31 points in the second half. “I’m so proud of this group. After halftime we knew we had twenty-four minutes left, we went into the third quarter, we set the tone,” added the “Greek Freak.”
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was the Thunder’s top scorer with 21 points, however he was clumsy (eight out of twenty-four shooting), like his team too imprecise with only five successful three-point shots on thirty-two attempted, against Milwaukee’s seventeen (out of forty). OKC was not unworthy in defense but the Bucks were also able to count on Damian Lillard and his 23 units (five winning shots).
“Collective basketball”
The Bucks were the only team among the semi-finalists of the 2023 edition to return to the last four. They succeed LeBron James’ Lakers on the list and confirm their current good form after a failed start to the season.
“It’s great for our team. We know we leave Vegas stronger. The last fifteen games we have played, we have been competitive. We played team basketball,” he emphasized Antetokoúnmpo.
Even if this final and its statistics do not count for the regular season (this is the only NBA Cup match not taken into account), the Bucks remain on thirteen victories in sixteen games, having only recorded two success in their first ten of the season.
Having moved up to fifth place in the East, the 2021 NBA champions resume the regular season on Friday in Cleveland where they will face the Cavaliers, the team with the best record in the league (23W, 4D).
“The job is not finished”
“The job is not finished” repeated Antetokoúnmpo, a phrase he often quotes, borrowed from the legend Kobe Bryant, meaning that the season is far from over and that the NBA championship title is still at stake.
In the meantime, each player on the Bucks squad benefits from a nice reward of $514,971 for this victory, or approximately €490,512. Those of the Thunder, who still dominate the Western conference (20V, 5D) receive 205,988 dollars, approximately 196,206 €, and will travel to Orlando this Thursday.
