Dame. Giannis. Middleton. The SGA. J-Dub. Dort.
Emirates NBA Cup 2024 is back and this time, it's between two great and exciting teams: No. 1 OKC Thunder will face No. 5 Milwaukee Bucks. With a new schedule format and money on the line, momentum is building for this year's tournament.
Ahead of tonight's game, here's everything you need to know about both teams.
OKC THUNDER:
With a 20-5 record and the top spot in the West, OKC is arguably one of the most electric, and cool, teams in the L right now. Look no further than the creativity of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who is on pace to average career-high numbers, and is currently third in the NBA in scoring.
“He's a master of his preparation,” said Isaiah Hartenstein, per The Oklahoman. “Seeing day to day, how he meets his work. The way he works, the way he talks… He's a bucket no matter how he is, but then he gets locked up (and) he doesn't force you. He plays the right way.”
The whole team is in business, too. Against Houston, we saw spin-moves and dunks from Williams (who is No. 4 in steals, btw), dives on the hardwood and deep-threes from Dort and more. Wallace let everyone know what happened, and after doing it with Alperen Sengun:
“We will not be beaten or shot by anyone,” he said. Periodt.
As for what to expect ahead of the Cup final, only time will tell. Until then, here's another must-read straight from the comments section of SGA's IG post. Shakespeare.
And combine images of course:
FITCHECK: OKC THUNDER 🌡️
Details on details
DO YOU SEE THIS JACKET?
LF superteam?
Blazers and denims.
MILWAUKEE COSTS:
For the best goalscorer in the League right now, the goal is clear:
“Forty-eight minutes. Hold each other accountable. Someone misses the gun, he picks him up. Make him feel good about himself, so he can do the next thing.”
Those are the words from the legendary Giannis Antetokounmpo, who has been delivering an unparalleled level of vocal leadership amid MVP-level play this season. Despite a rough start to the season, the Bucks have rebounded and, especially Giannis, has maintained that momentum:
“I would text with Giannis, and we'd talk and practice and whatever, his mind was never closed,” Lillard said to ESPN. “He didn't give up. He didn't worry too much. And so it was, the fight. Our conversations have been like this, we will turn around. We'll figure it out. We will lead. We have to move on. We have to rule.”
Maybe he's channeling his big ticket insider, who according to Greek Freak stopped practicing in Vegas recently:
Now that Middleton is finally back (and better since recovering from ankle surgery), the Bucks are looking ahead as they prepare for the NBA Cup Final.
Thunder and Bucks fans, this is for you (and you). Copy our NBA pregame series:
