Instant Analysis: How Bucks Beat Thunder For Impressive Win In Emirates NBA Cup Championship

The Milwaukee Bucks have officially made history as winners of the second annual Emirates NBA Cup. The game, which was set in Las Vegas, had a playoff atmosphere as the two star-studded teams clashed for a chance at a championship.

The first two quarters were defined by steady back-and-forth play between both sides and it was reflected in the scoreboard. By halftime, it was anyone's game at 51-50 and neither team had a game-defining moment. Things changed in the last 24 minutes when the Thunder were held to 31 points in the final two quarters. The Bucks were able to take a 12-point lead and they never looked back (final score: 97-81).

For the Bucks, Giannis Antetokounmpo led the way with 26 points (10-19 FG), 19 rebounds, 10 assists, and 3 blocks. He was named as the 2024 Emirates Cup MVP, to go along with his 2 regular-season MVPs. Damian Lillard finished with 23 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists on 6-12 shooting.  At center, Brook Lopez dropped 13 points, 9 rebounds, and 1 assist on 41.7% shooting.

Meanwhile, for the Thunder, it was an off-night for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. He finished with 21 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 assists on just 33% shooting. Jalen Williams tallied 18 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists on 8-20 shooting. In 32 minutes, Isaiah Hartenstein finished with 16 points, 12 rebounds, and 2 assists on 6-11 shooting.

What was a miserable season for the Bucks has suddenly turned around after a stretch of good play. While the win did not count toward the regular-season standings, it's still a step in the right direction for the Bucks, who are 5th in the East and 8-2 in their last 10 games.

Giannis And Dame Are Figuring It Out

When Lillard first arrived to the Bucks, he wasn't a good fit on or off the court. Lillard looked unhappy and his game was at the lowest point it had been in years. Questions were raised about their fit and their potential to win together was in doubt across the league.

But this season, the duo has found something and their chemistry has never looked better. Tonight, they combined for 49 points and led the Bucks on a run down the stretch that sealed the win. As the highest-scoring duo in the league right now, Giannis and Lillard have a case to be the best tandem in the game and it's got the Bucks making history in their second season together.

At 30 and 34, respectively, Giannis and Lillard are still in their prime, and what we saw in the Emirates NBA Cup tournament may only be just the beginning. If they can keep this momentum and build off their newfound hot streak, it could put them in a position to take a top spot in the Eastern Conference.

Defensive Masterpiece For The Bucks

Under Mike Budenholzer, the Bucks consistently had one of the NBA's top defenses with Giannis, Brook Lopez, and Jrue Holiday taking the majority of responsibility on that end of the floor. Under Doc Rivers, the Bucks have slipped a bit. The good news is, they are showing some signs of life on that end of the floor.

Against the Thunder, they were on top of their game with constant rim presence, high-level on-ball defense, and cutting off passing lanes. They held their opponent (who are 1st in the West) to 31 points in the second half and 33.7% shooting for the game. Their final score of 81 is the Thunder's lowest of the season.

When the Bucks lock in, they are easily the best defensive team in the NBA and they just showed that they can stop any team on any given night. The Thunder have never looked as lost and disoriented as they did tonight and it's a testament to the Bucks' collection of star defensive talent.

3-Point Shooting At Key Positions

In the past, shooting has been a major area of need for the Bucks, who play around the interior dominance of Giannis Antetokounmo. Over the years, they've responded to the struggles by trading up for some shooters, including former Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard.

It was three-point shooting once again that made the difference against the Thunder. While they went 5-32 from beyond the arc (15.6%), the Bucks finished at 17-40 (42.5%). They got threes from Lillard, AJ Green (3-5), Taurean Prince (2-5), Brook Lopez (3-6), and Gary Trent Jr. (3-6). 

The Bucks are in the top three in the NBA in three-point percentage this season (38.9%) and it certainly looked like it tonight. And when Milwaukee is hitting their perimeter shots like that, it opens up the floor for Giannis to do his thing on the inside.

Now that the Emirates Cup is over, it's back to business as usual for the NBA. There's an off-day for everyone tomorrow before the action resumes again later this week but the Bucks are feeling pretty good right now with their recent string of good fortune.

They are hoping to keep the momentum going for the rest of their schedule, which continues on Friday against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse at 7:30 PM EST. The next day, December 21st, the Bucks complete the second game of their back-to-back, against the Washington Wizards at 8:00 PM EST. It's their last game before a trip to the United Center for a game against the Chicago Bulls at 8:00 PM EST.