The NBA Cup Finals tells a story of hope and its inherent contradictions. The burden of unrealized potential and expectations, the burden of unbridled optimism and hope.
The Bucks were a veteran team anchored by two superstars looking to cement the legacy of their groundbreaking partnership, one of which left with a bitter taste of disappointment after falling short of their lofty expectations. Just a few weeks ago, most people would have looked at them and said their time had passed.
The Thunder are the youngest team in the league and will enter the competition window with clear eyes, full hearts and the shadow of dynasty proportions that carry their reputation, hoping to put a first trophy on their mantle. Apparently their time has come.
In a way, both teams should be here. Milwaukee’s acquisition of Damian Lillard tipped the hourglass, putting a time limit on the team but seemingly destined to bear fruit. Oklahoma City, on the other hand, has struggled through the mud for years to turn a perennial lottery team into a powerhouse. Through shrewd negotiation, selection and nurturing of young talent, their flowers are just beginning to bloom.
The commitment of both teams will be on full display Tuesday as they face off amid the bright lights and raucous atmosphere of Sin City, where the squeak of sneakers amidst the stained hardwood floors and the smell of money on the NBA Cup floor resonance. Originating from the nearby Las Vegas Strip. One team’s promise will come true, while another team succumbs to overwhelming hope.
Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the NBA Cup Finals.
Oklahoma City Thunder (20-5) vs. Milwaukee Bucks (14-11) — 8:30 p.m. ET / 5:30 p.m. PT
thunder: 3-1 in the group stage, defeated the Mavericks in the quarterfinals, and defeated the Rockets in the semifinals.
Bucks: 4-0 in the group stage, defeated the Magic in the quarter-finals, and defeated the Hawks in the semi-finals
Key question for the Bucks: Can Giannis Antetokounmpo continue his MVP resume?
After years of playing second fiddle to the deserving Nikola Jokic, it’s time for Giannis Antetokounmpo to hear his name in the MVP conversation. But with the Nuggets struggling in a crowded Western Conference and the Bucks reeling from their early-season woes, the two-time MVP finally finds himself back in the thick of it.
Antetokounmpo is having a ridiculous season, scoring 32.7 points per game (fifth) on 61.4% shooting, 11.5 rebounds (fifth), and 6.1 assists (second among frontcourt players). and 2.2 rebounds per game. . He ranks second in PER (31.9), fourth in win shares (4.2), third in plus-minus (9.1), third in bench value (2.3), and third in usage rate (36.6) .
The Greek Freak has been a key factor in the Milwaukee Bucks’ climb up the standings, helping the team win nine of the last 11 games he’s been on the court after winning just four of their previous 13 games. He took it to the next level in the NBA Cup Playoffs, scoring 37 points in the quarterfinals against the Magic and 32 points in the semifinals against the Hawks, scoring in both games. Lead for the team.
Lillard’s strong stretches certainly help, but the Bucks’ survival depends on Antetokounmpo’s play.
Early in the season, things were getting increasingly unstable for Wisconsin, with the superstar constantly hinting at his disillusionment with the team’s direction. But through his otherworldly play and the team’s sudden success, the buzz has died down, and the Bucks have reestablished themselves as a top team in a shaky Eastern Conference.
If he can break through the Thunder’s league-leading defense and further establish his unstoppable ability, the MVP race could become even more up in the air, and two more trophies could ultimately rest on the superstar’s growing mantle. .
Key question for the Thunder: How do their defenses get after Lillard?
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has something to say when it comes to the topic of MVP contention. The isolation master sees Damian Lillard’s defense as more than just his roast chickenbut he will also be a key figure in suppressing the Bucks defenders on the defensive end.
Stopping Antetokounmpo seems nearly impossible, but slowing him down will be key. One way to do this is to eliminate the perimeter threat and make room for him to rampage in empty lanes. That means shutting down Lillard.
No team in the NBA is better equipped to do this than the Thunder, as their point-of-attack defenders and pests have put pressure on ballhandlers all season long. A steady stream of players like Gilgeous-Alexander, Carson Wallace, Luguentz Dort, Jalen Williams and Alex Caruso is a nightmare, overwhelming perimeter player Like the Black Friday Best Buy stampede – or for the nerds out there, like the Terran base being overrun and the Zerg charging towards oblivion.
There is no team more annoying than the Thunder. Their average of 12.2 steals per game ranks third in history, and their 22.2 deflections lead the league. They recovered 61.7% of the missed balls on defense, and they controlled their opponents’ effective field goal percentage to 42.2% at critical moments. , and allowed opponents to shoot the lowest field goal percentage despite the 6-foot-6-inch Jalen Williams. After spending most of the year at the five position, his shooting percentage at the rim is still as high as 57.4% in the league. It all comes down to their pressure on the perimeter and their ability to mess up the ball before the game even starts.
Lillard will be the final straw in this game, with the Thunder hoping to get to grips with the sharpshooting guard before he crosses the timeline and hit the ball quick enough before Antetokounmpo gets the ball. The rotation speed skipped passing lanes, thereby stopping Milwaukee’s offense. Open lanes.
How far the Thunder can stick to its identity — disrupting Lillard’s flow at the primary guard spot and forcing it on to more unreliable players like A.J. Green or Andre Jackson Jr. — will Was the key to them winning the NBA Cup.
Middleton hasn’t been back for long, having played in just four games so far this season after undergoing offseason ankle surgery. He has yet to make a huge impact on the Bucks’ scoring during that stretch, averaging just a paltry 7.0 points per game on 25.9 percent shooting. But what makes him outstanding is his organizational ability. He is another stable force in the Bucks’ half-court offense, averaging 5.8 assists per game. With the Thunder’s ability to tangle perimeter players and disrupt team operations, having another reliable connecting passer like Middleton will be key to stabilizing the Bucks’ lineup. If he can start to find his scoring touch as well, his size and skill set on the wing should add another layer of floor spacing, providing more room for Antetokounmpo’s runs around the rim. Another deciding factor could be his fitness for the final, as the team has been sick in recent days and was unable to train on Monday. If he can’t play, the Bucks simply may not have the cohesion or firepower to contend with the ambitious Thunder.
thunder: Isaiah Hartenstein
The Thunder tried to turn around their fortunes this offseason after struggling on the glass last season, deploying Hartenstein at center for an undersized team. He performed well in 10 games with the Thunder, averaging 12.5 points and 12.3 rebounds per game. His biggest impact was on defense, as the big man put opposing centers in trouble. 41.2 field goal percentage Over 209.7 partial possessions this season, the finishing touch to the Thunder’s great defensive masterpiece. His job is to be the last line of defense against Giannis Antetokounmpo, protecting the paint from his devastating drives. This was not to stop the Greek Freak, but to slow him down so Hartenstein could speak.
