In this second NBA Cup final, the Thunder immediately took control of operations by using Isaiah Hartenstein (16 points, 12 rebounds) as the high post hub and the Shai Gilgeous-Alexander duo (21 points, 8/24 goals). shots) – Jalen Williams (18 points) to turn around him. The trio scores 14 of Oklahoma City’s first 18 points to punish the Bucks defense (18-11).
Without Khris Middleton, ill, it is the aggressiveness of Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard (23 points) which immediately brings their team back to the score. The fixations of the two stars offer open shots from afar to Brook Lopez (13 points, 9 rebounds), Taurean Prince and Bobby Portis to respond with an 11-2 (22-20). It takes the return of Hartenstein to allow the Thunder to take the lead (28-27).
The crossover continues in the second quarter. A 3-pointer from Damian Lillard puts the Bucks at +5 (35-30), the Thunder responds with an 8-0 with Jalen Williams who pushes the ball on each lost ball and missed opponent (38-35). While Oklahoma City is abandoned by its distant address (1 out of 17 at the break), the Bucks insist inside with Antetokounmpo and Brook Lopez to return to the locker room with the shortest lead (51-50).
Giannis Antetokounmpo, the steamroller
Milwaukee confirms at the start of the third quarter. A two out of two 3-pointers launches a 13-3 ended by a five-point action from Damian Lillard after two technical fouls whistled to Lu Dort and Mark Daigneault (64-53)!
The Thunder’s attack is slow but their defense allows them to respond with a 7-0 to stay in ambush (69-64). Giannis Antetokounmpo’s reaction is scathing. He pounded the Thunder’s defense and scored ten points in a row in the paint and on free throws to give his team a 13-point lead (77-64).
Three new winning shots, this time from Brook Lopez and Gary Trent Jr. (13 points), during the first three minutes of the last quarter put OKC at -20 (86-66)! The Thunder are stunned and the Bucks succeed the Lakers in the NBA Cup standings with a scathing victory: 97-81!
WHAT TO REMEMBER
– “The size of the Bucks versus the speed of the Thunder.” It is with this turn of phrase that Mark Daigneault explained his approach to this final. According to him, it was the match within the match, and unfortunately for him, it was the Bucks who dictated their law. The Thunder players, however, focused on pushing the ball whenever possible to get easy baskets in the first half, but they were unable to continue after the break. It was indeed Giannis Antetokounmpo who made the difference in the third quarter, won 26-14 by the Bucks. The Greek terrorized the Thunder in the paint, either scoring at the rim or causing fouls to go for free throws, and cutting OKC’s rhythm in the process.
– Giannis Antetokounmpo, MVP of the second edition of the NBA Cup. Giannis Antetokounmpo had announced that he wanted to win this second NBA Cup and he left none to his opponents. After his 32 points, 14 rebounds, 9 assists and 4 blocks during the semi-final, he followed up with 26 points, 19 rebounds, 10 assists and 3 blocks to offer the cup to the Bucks. Thanks to his impact, the rest of the squad was able to play their role wonderfully. As in the semi-final, Damian Lillard played his role as lieutenant to perfection as the Bucks finished the game at 17/40 from 3-point range.
– The Thunder offense collapses. In a new defensive match, Oklahoma City was never able to find its rhythm, especially after the break when SGA teammates only scored 31 points! But even before the second half, the Thunder never made the Milwaukee defense’s turnovers pay. They returned to the locker room at 1/17 at 3-points, and finished the match at 4/30! Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, exceptional in quarter and half, is clumsy this time. He needed 24 shots to reach the 21-point mark.
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How to read the stats? Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; O = offensive rebound; D=defensive rebound; T = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; +/- = Point differential when the player is on the field; Pts = Points; Eval: player evaluation calculated from positive actions – negative actions.
