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The field has narrowed from 30 teams to just four, and all eyes are now on Las Vegas for the 2024 Emirates NBA Cup semifinals. With Saturday’s doubleheader set to determine the two teams vying for the prestigious trophy, let’s dive into what to expect from the matchups and recap how we got here.
In the Eastern Conference:
The Orlando Magic, despite missing their top scorers, Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner, put up a strong fight against the heavily favored Milwaukee Bucks. Jalen Suggs stepped up with a career-high 32 points, leading the Magic to a late-game lead. However, clutch performances from Damian Lillard and Giannis Antetokounmpo allowed the Bucks to seal a 114-109 win. This victory earned them a spot in the semifinals as the only undefeated team in the tournament.
The Bucks will now face the Atlanta Hawks, who have been making noise in this tournament. The Hawks, led by All-Star point guard Trae Young, have surrounded him with a formidable roster featuring big men Clint Capela and Onyeka Okongwu and versatile forwards like Jalen Johnson and De'Andre Hunter. In their quarterfinals against the New York Knicks, Atlanta’s defense stifled the Knicks in the second half, holding them to just 46 points while dominating the boards with a season-high 22 offensive rebounds. Young's leadership and savvy playmaking, combined with their imposing size and defense, powered the Hawks to a 108-100 victory and a shot at another upset.
In the Western Conference:
The Oklahoma City Thunder are in the mix after a stellar performance against the Dallas Mavericks. The Thunder made key offseason additions, notably Isaiah Hartenstein to bolster their rebounding and Alex Caruso to improve their defense. These moves paid immediate dividends as Oklahoma City dominated the offensive glass and shut down Luka Dončić and Kyrie Irving. Led by a 39-point outburst from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the Thunder cruised to a 118-104 win, earning their place in the semifinals.
Oklahoma City will face the Houston Rockets, who pulled off a dramatic win over the Golden State Warriors. Despite some late-game controversy regarding referee calls, the Rockets held their ground and finished strong, closing the game with a 9-1 run. Their defense, anchored by young stars like Jalen Green and Alperen Şengün, stifled the Warriors, securing a 91-90 win to advance to the semifinals. This sets up an intriguing battle between two of the NBA's youngest and most defensive-minded teams.
(1) Bucks vs. (3) Hawks – Saturday, 4:30 P.M. ET (TNT)
- Bucks: East Group B winner, 5-0 record, +55 point differential
- Hawks: East Group C winner, 4-1 record, +23 point differential
The Hawks, led by the brilliant Trae Young, bring a physical and athletic style of play, overwhelming the Bucks in their previous matchup with stifling defense and dominance on the offensive glass. Atlanta also capitalized on Milwaukee's struggles to defend the rim, scoring 64 points in the paint, the second most the Bucks have allowed this season.
The Hawks’ defense will be key once again. Their ability to force turnovers and disrupt Milwaukee’s half-court offense could make for another upset, as they aim to extend their momentum from an impressive quarterfinal victory.
(1) Thunder vs. (2) Rockets – Saturday, 8:30 P.M. ET (ABC)
- Thunder: West Group B winner, 4-1 record, +59 point differential
- Rockets: West Group A winner, 4-1 record, +41 point differential
Oklahoma City enters this matchup as the top seed in the West after a dominant performance over the Mavericks. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's 39-point performance highlighted the Thunder’s depth and all-around game. With improvements in both rebounding and defense, Oklahoma City looks poised to make a deep run in the tournament. Their suffocating defense, along with the sharpshooting of Caruso and the overall playmaking of their young stars, gives them a balanced edge.
Houston’s journey to the semifinals was a bit more dramatic, with a tight 91-90 win over the Warriors. Despite controversy surrounding the game’s final moments, the Rockets’ young core held firm, particularly on the defensive end. With Jalen Green continuing his rise and a defense that’s one of the best in the league, the Rockets are looking to prove themselves as one of the toughest teams in the NBA.
With two thrilling matchups ahead, the semifinals of the 2024 Emirates NBA Cup are sure to provide plenty of drama and high-level basketball. Keep an eye on the key stars, the battle for rebounding supremacy, and the defensive adjustments that will define which teams make it to the final.
