Giannis posts 32-point double-double as Bucks advance to Cup Last (2:22)
Giannis Antetokounmpo shines in a victory over Trae Younger and the Hawks to safe a spot within the NBA Cup last. (2:22)
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Jamal Collier, ESPNDec 14, 2024, 07:31 PM ET
LAS VEGAS — Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 32 factors and completed an help shy of a triple-double, however it was his “profitable performs” down the stretch that helped will the Milwaukee Bucks to a 110-102 victory over the Atlanta Hawks on Saturday to clinch a spot within the NBA Cup championship recreation.
Antetokounmpo added 14 rebounds, 9 assists and 4 blocks, together with a spectacular rejection of an alley-oop dunk from Clint Capela on the rim with 2:35 remaining within the recreation, preserving what was then a five-point Bucks lead. Antetokounmpo additionally drew reward from his teammates and training employees for diving on a free ball to safe a steal and stop the ball from going out of bounds with about 6:30 remaining within the fourth.
“Profitable performs,” Bucks coach Doc Rivers mentioned after the sport. “You possibly can’t script any of that stuff earlier than the sport, however you simply bought to maintain educating that it simply takes what it takes each night time.”
Milwaukee advances to the championship recreation on Tuesday night time, avenging a loss in final season’s semifinals in Las Vegas to the Pacers. The Bucks are 11-1 all time in NBA Cup video games and can face the winner of Houston/Oklahoma Metropolis.
“I am going to do no matter it takes to win a recreation,” Antetokounmpo mentioned after the sport. “I am completely satisfied that I did, as a result of I really feel prefer it translated to the entire workforce. You bought to do no matter is critical to shut this one out. I am simply pleased with my teammates. The best way we began the sport, we form of set the tone that we have been right here to compete.”
A number of Bucks gamers mentioned the workforce arrived to Las Vegas extra targeted this season, able to settle what Antetokounmpo known as “unfinished enterprise” from final season, but additionally to care for enterprise in an environment that will simulate a playoff recreation.
“We in all probability appeared slightly sharper this time round,” mentioned Bucks star Damian Lillard, who added 25 factors and 7 assists. “This time we got here into it remembering our final expertise. We got here right. We knew it wasn’t going to be simple enjoying in opposition to workforce, however we ready, and it simply felt acquainted.”
The Hawks really had the lead heading into the fourth quarter, due to a masterful efficiency from Trae Young, who had 14 factors within the third interval. However Milwaukee outscored Atlanta 12-3 throughout clutch time to seal the win. Younger completed with 35 factors, 10 assists and seven rebounds, and though the Hawks have been getting ready to go dwelling after the loss, Younger mentioned he was pleased with what the workforce had achieved by making a run to the Cup semifinals.
“What now we have accomplished on this Cup was actually, actually particular, actually good,” Younger mentioned. “We have actually discovered the best way we wish to play and found out the tempo we wish to play at.
“It has been good. I really feel like this Cup was actually good for us. For a younger workforce to go so far as we did, we are able to actually use this as hopefully momentum going into the remainder of the season.”
Making it to the championship was additionally an accomplishment for the Bucks, particularly contemplating they began the season with a 2-8 report by means of their first 10 video games. But additionally Rivers made it clear for weeks that the Bucks have been taking purpose on the NBA Cup and deliberate on profitable it.
“It is a competitors, man, and also you need your workforce to be aggressive,” Rivers mentioned. “You need them to just accept the problem, that is all I have been speaking about…. That is what I am pleased with for our guys.
Even within the aftermath of their victory Saturday, Antetokounmpo provided his workforce a reminder that they nonetheless had another recreation to win and take dwelling the championship, invoking one other late NBA legend: Kobe Bryant when he mentioned “the job’s not completed.”
“The one factor that issues proper right here is to get a win, and that is the message inside our workforce proper now,” Antetokounmpo mentioned. “All people bought to remain locked in. All people bought to remain locked in; the job’s not accomplished.”
