LAS VEGAS (AP) — Everybody has a fortunate quantity in Las Vegas. For the Milwaukee Bucks, it was 3.
And the NBA Cup was their prize.
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 Tuesday evening.
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 stored management the remainder of the best way.
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%.
Isaiah Hartenstein had 16 factors and 12 rebounds for Oklahoma Metropolis.
It’s a sport that solely counted for match functions. There was about $300,000 in additional bonus money for Bucks gamers — they received $514,971 apiece, whereas the Thunder gamers received $205,988 every — however the win, the loss and the statistics from the sport gained’t rely 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, regardless that it gained’t be a part of the official document.
Irrespective of: When the Bucks emptied their bench with 1:37 left, Antetokounmpo pumped his fists prefer it was a real championship second.
He’s gained greater video games — he and the Bucks captured the 2021 NBA title, in spite of everything. However they stated from the outset of this match that the NBA Cup was a precedence.
And so they left little question in the long run.
Takeaways
Bucks: Milwaukee performed with out guard Khris Middleton (non-COVID sickness) and nonetheless improved to an NBA-best 12-1 all-time 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 taking part in 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 thus far 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 free ball with 9:12 left within the third quarter. Thunder ahead Lu Dort was hit with a technical, coach Mark Daigneault received 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 (regardless that it would formally be 0-4 since this sport gained’t 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.
