The Oklahoma City Thunder and Milwaukee Bucks are set to clash in the NBA Cup Championship, with both teams vying for the inaugural in-season tournament title. The Thunder, led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, face a tough challenge against the Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo.
The Oklahoma City Thunder and Milwaukee Bucks are facing off for the NBA Cup Championship . This game will not count in the regular season standings. The Thunder and Bucks will play each other three times, more than other rival conferences who only play twice. The Thunder enter the game at 20-5, while the Bucks are 14-11, winners of eight of their last ten games.Milwaukee has found its footing, but will need an upset to win. The Thunder have a tough task dealing with Giannis Antetokounmpo .
While it is impossible to shut him down, Oklahoma City can make him uncomfortable with the amount of looks they can throw at the superstar. From Lu Dort to Jalen Williams, Alex Caruso and Isaiah Hartenstein, Antetokounmpo should always be on his heels. However, Antetokounmpo is expected to score at least 32 points. If the Thunder can get hot from beyond the arc with its drive and kick system, taking advantage of the Bucks packing the paint, Oklahoma City could rout Milwaukee.The Bucks have also altered Khris Middleton's status for the third time today, downgrading him to doubtful as he deals with an illness. This gives the Bucks less firepower and more chances for errors against the top defense in the NBA. With less confident ball handlers being harassed by the Thunder, it could lead to an inflated turnover number which allows Oklahoma City to dominate this game in transition.Oftentimes, the simplest answer wins. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has to be an MVP level player in this game. Yes, it will be hard with the Bucks piling in the paint to disrupt Gilgeous-Alexander's rhythm but Antetokounmpo will not be slowed down in the score column so the Thunder's star has to keep pace
NBA Cup Thunder Bucks Giannis Antetokounmpo Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Championship
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