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 all the things you must find out about each groups.
OKC THUNDER:
With a 20-5 report 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 monitor to common practically career-high numbers, and is presently 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 best way he communicates…He’s a bucket regardless, however then he will get trapped (and) he doesn’t pressure it. He makes the correct play.”
The whole crew is standing on enterprise, too. Towards 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 everyone know what was up, too after going at it with Alperen Sengun:
“We’re not gonna get punked or shot down by anyone,” he stated. Periodt.
As for what to anticipate forward of the Cup Last, solely time will inform. Till then, right here’s some necessary 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 the very best scorer within the League proper now, the mission is obvious:
“Forty-eight f—ing minutes. Preserve each other accountable. Any individual missed a shot, choose 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 stored that very same power:
“I might be texting with Giannis, and we’d be speaking at observe or no matter, his thoughts was by no means shut off,” Lillard stated per ESPN. “He was by no means discouraged. He was by no means overly involved. It was at all times, battle. Our conversations had at all times been, like, we’re going to show it round. We’re going to determine it out. We’re going to steer. We’ve bought to maintain going. We’ve bought to dominate.”
Maybe he’s channeling his interior Large Ticket, who in accordance with the Greek Freak stopped by their observe in Vegas not too long ago:
Now with Middleton lastly again (and higher since recovering from ankle surgical procedure), the Bucks are wanting forward as they prepare for the NBA Cup Last.
Thunder and Bucks followers, that is for you (and yours). Cop our NBA threads forward of the sport:
