The keys to the Milwaukee Bucks’ victory in the NBA Cup

The Bucks joined the Lakers as the first two winners of the Association’s new tournament that increasingly provides more closely contested games; In addition, both the Lakers and Bucks were crowned undefeated in their respective edition of the NBA Cup.

The second edition of the NBA Cup saw a new crowned champion on Tuesday after the Milwaukee Bucks’ 97-81 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder, in a game that had emotions from the beginning and saw Giannis Antetokounmpo make the difference in Las Vegas to be the MVP of the final.

Bucks join Los Angeles Lakers as the first two winners of the new NBA tournament, which increasingly presents more surprises and more closely contested games; In addition, both the Lakers and Bucks were crowned undefeated in the Cup.

For Tuesday’s game, the bucks They did not have forward Khris Middleton, due to illness, while OKC He arrived boasting more steals than losses (304/209, until before the final), making it clear that in addition to his dynamism, defensive efficiency is a pillar of this young team; However, in the final they were never able to stop Giannis or find certainty in his mid-range or outside shot.

These are the keys to the Bucks’ victory in the NBA Cup final.

1.- No outside shooting by OKC and good defense by the Bucks. The Thunder never found the rim through their three-pointer, a fundamental weapon in the modern NBA and essential to winning titles.

OKC went a poor 5-32 (15.6%) from beyond the arc; Furthermore, the Bucks’ defense made their opponent’s ball movement uncomfortable, as they only allowed 13 assists during the 48 minutes.

The Bucks also canceled out OKC in the second half. After scoring 50 in the first half, they only allowed 31 in the second half.

2.- Bucks canceled SGA and Jalen Williams. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander He struggled in all aspects of the game, Milwaukee’s defense was responsible for taking him out of his comfort zone and left the point guard with 10 points in the first quarter and none in the second. The Canadian improved in the second half and finished the game with 21 points, but he did not find his usual accomplice in Jalen Williams.

3.- Triple-double by Giannis and triples by Lillard for the Bucks’ explosion. The Thunder never managed to stop the Greek, who scored a triple figure of 26 points, 19 rebounds and 10 assists, while Damian Lillard was no less by scoring 32 points with an admirable 5-10 from the arc, the same amount as the entire team. Thunder together.