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The Milwaukee Bucks secured a spot in the NBA Cup championship game with a hard-fought 110-102 victory over the Atlanta Hawks on Saturday. Giannis Antetokounmpo had another stellar performance, finishing with 32 points, 14 rebounds, nine assists, and four blocks. The Bucks improved their NBA Cup record to 11-1, with their only loss coming in last year’s semi-finals.
Key Contributions from Antetokounmpo and Lillard
Antetokounmpo's all-around brilliance played a pivotal role in the win. He shot 10-of-15 from the field and converted 12-of-18 free throws. His defensive prowess was also on full display when he blocked an alley-oop attempt by Clint Capela with 2:35 remaining, preserving a five-point Bucks lead.
Damian Lillard added 25 points to the Bucks' total, while Brook Lopez chipped in 16 points. Bobby Portis continued to provide energy off the bench, contributing 10 points and nine rebounds in just 23 minutes. Milwaukee's overall team performance was key, as they outscored Atlanta 22-15 in fast-break points and held a slight 47-44 edge in rebounds.
Hawks' Strong Effort Led by Trae Young
Despite the loss, Trae Young put on a spectacular individual performance for the Hawks. The All-Star guard finished with 35 points, 10 assists, and seven rebounds, drawing a season-high 11 fouls. Since entering the NBA, Young has consistently been one of the league’s most fouled players, with 52 games in which he drew at least 10 fouls. The Hawks also got strong contributions from Jalen Johnson, who recorded 15 points and 10 rebounds, and De’Andre Hunter, who added 15 points.
Young's 11 fouls drawn was a notable statistic in the context of Atlanta's offense; when Young draws 10 or more fouls, the Hawks are 3-0 this season. However, despite Young's efforts, the Hawks were unable to overcome a strong Bucks finish.
Bucks Overcome Fourth-Quarter Struggles
Milwaukee entered the fourth quarter trailing 83-82, marking a continuation of a troubling trend. Going back to last season, including playoffs, the Bucks had lost 20 consecutive games when trailing entering the final period. But on Saturday, they flipped the script and managed to hold onto their lead in the closing minutes.
The Bucks are now set to face the Oklahoma City Thunder in the NBA Cup final on Tuesday. Despite their strong performance, Milwaukee's road to the final was far from guaranteed, especially with the Bucks' late-game struggles earlier in the season.
Rockets Struggles Continue for VanVleet
Fred VanVleet's shooting woes continued for Houston. He had struggled with his three-point shooting in recent games, making just 6-of-29 from beyond the arc over his previous three games, and things did not improve against Oklahoma City. VanVleet missed his first nine attempts from deep and finished the game shooting 1-of-11 from three-point range.
What’s Next for Both Teams
The Bucks will face the Thunder in the NBA Cup championship game on Tuesday, with the title contest not counting towards the regular season standings. Following that, the Bucks will resume their regular season on Friday with a game at the Cleveland Cavaliers.
The Hawks, on the other hand, will return to regular season play on Thursday when they visit the San Antonio Spurs. Despite the loss, Atlanta remains a strong team in the Eastern Conference, and Trae Young’s continued brilliance will keep them competitive as they head into the rest of the season.
