Giannis Antetokounmpo needs a stellar defensive performance to help the Milwaukee Bucks upset the Oklahoma City Thunder in the NBA Cup Final. The Thunder are on a hot streak, averaging over 116 points in five of their last six games. Antetokounmpo's defensive prowess, especially against the Thunder's quick guards, could be key to a Bucks victory.
Giannis Antetokounmpo will have to be at his absolute best if the Bucks want to upset the Thunder in the NBA Cup Final — and that includes making plays on the defensive end. Adam Silver has to be happy with the star power on display for tonight's NBA Cup final in Las Vegas 15— and for Giannis Antetokounmpo , it’s a chance to lift silverware for the first time since the Milwaukee Bucks ’ championship run in 2021.
However, it’s going to take an A+ outing from the Bucks to slow down a hungry, surging Oklahoma City Thunder team that’s won five in a row and nine of its last 10 games. If the Bucks are going to pull off an upset, it’s going to require a big Giannis Antetokounmpo offensive game — and an even more dominant effort on the defensive end. The Thunder have scored 116+ points in five of their six outings this month, and that’s an ominous trend for a Milwaukee team with some glaring flaws at that end of the floor. Alongside Brook Lopez, Antetokounmpo has made a habit of papering over Milwaukee’s issues on the perimeter, and my favorite Giannis props for tonight lean towards his defensive stats, particularly with OKC’s swarming guards putting any points prop under real pressure. Without Chet Holmgren, the Thunder lack a little size in the frontcourt, and if Lopez or Bobby Portis is matched up with Isaiah Hartenstein, Giannis will have chances to roam in the paint. He’s been a menace as a rim protector in the NBA Cup knockout rounds, and he’s racked up 11 blocks across his last three games. Doc Rivers has to be hoping for a repeat performance here, and the Green Freak will likely approach the 40-minute mark once again. This tournament has breathed life into Milwaukee’s season, and I expect Giannis to be flying around tonight. He’s never shy about contesting shots at the rim, and we could get some chase-down blocks against a Thunder team that prides itself on creating turnovers. I’m doubling down on an Antetokounmpo defensive masterclass with the Over on his steals prop
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