Dame. Giannis. Middleton. SGA. J-Dub. Dort.
The 2024 Emirates NBA Cup is again and this time, it’s between two dominant and hella enjoyable squads: the No. 1 OKC Thunder will face off towards the No. 5 Milwaukee Bucks. With a brand new schedule format and cash on the road, momentum is constructing for this yr’s event.
Forward of tonight’s matchup, right here’s the whole lot you want to learn about each groups.
OKC THUNDER:
With a 20-5 document and the highest spot within the West, OKC is undoubtedly some of the electrical, and funky, groups within the L proper now. Look no additional than the artistry of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who’s on observe to common almost career-high numbers, and is at the moment third within the NBA in scoring.
“He’s elite in his preparation,” says Isaiah Hartenstein, per The Oklahoman. “You see it on a day-to-day foundation, how he approaches his craft. The way in which he works, the way in which he communicates…He’s a bucket regardless, however then he will get trapped (and) he doesn’t drive it. He makes the appropriate play.”
Your entire staff is standing on enterprise, too. In opposition to Houston, we noticed spin-moves and dunks from Williams (who’s No. 4 in steals, btw), dives on the hardwood and deep-threes from Dort and a lot extra. Wallace let all people know what was up, too after going at it with Alperen Sengun:
“We’re not gonna get punked or shot down by anyone,” he mentioned. Periodt.
As for what to anticipate forward of the Cup Ultimate, solely time will inform. Till then, right here’s some obligatory studying straight from the remark part of SGA’s IG posts. Shaispere.
And match pics after all:
FITCHECK: OKC THUNDER 🌡️
Particulars on particulars
DO YOU SEE THIS COAT?
LF superteam?
Blazers and denim.
MILWAUKEE BUCKS:
For one of the best scorer within the League proper now, the mission is evident:
“Forty-eight f—ing minutes. Preserve each other accountable. Someone missed a shot, decide him up. Make him be ok with himself, so he could make the subsequent one.”
These are the phrases from an intense Giannis Antetokounmpo, who has been channeling an unmatched degree of vocal management amidst an MVP-level efficiency this season. Regardless of the Bucks tough begin to the season, they’ve risen the standings and, particularly Giannis, have saved that very same vitality:
“I’d be texting with Giannis, and we’d be speaking at apply or no matter, his thoughts was by no means shut off,” Lillard mentioned per ESPN. “He was by no means discouraged. He was by no means overly involved. It was all the time, combat. Our conversations had all the time been, like, we’re going to show it round. We’re going to determine it out. We’re going to steer. We’ve obtained to maintain going. We’ve obtained to dominate.”
Maybe he’s channeling his internal Large Ticket, who in accordance with the Greek Freak stopped by their apply in Vegas not too long ago:
Now with Middleton lastly again (and higher since recovering from ankle surgical procedure), the Bucks are trying forward as they prepare for the NBA Cup Ultimate.
Thunder and Bucks followers, that is for you (and yours). Cop our NBA threads forward of the sport:
