By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Giannis Antetokounmpo had 32 points, 14 rebounds and nine assists as the Milwaukee Bucks beat the Atlanta Hawks 110 – 102 in Las Vegas to advance to the 2024 NBA Cup Final.
The Bucks were superior in the fourth period and particularly down the stretch. With the score 96 – 95, they made a 7 – 1 run and then Damian Lillard more or less seal the win with a jumper that put Milwaukee up 107 – 100 with 23 seconds remaining. He finished with 25 points, seven assists and six rebounds.
Giannis had a particularly strong defensive play in the last minutes with a block that was reminiscent of the one he delivered against Deandrey Ayton in Game 4 of the 2021 NBA Finals vs. the Phoenix Suns.
🇬🇷🔥When it matters most Giannis ALWAYS steps up!
🤯In the NBA Cup Semifinal Giannis recreated his famous block from Game 4 in 2021 Finals on Ayton! pic.twitter.com/Q7RpopzRg4
— Eurohoops (@Eurohoopsnet) December 15, 2024
Trae Young’s 35 points, 10 assists and seven rebounds weren’t enough for the Hawks. Bogdan Bogdanovic had 10 points and Clint Capela posted six points plus eight rebounds.
The Bucks will face Oklahoma City Thunder in the Final. The latter defeated the Houston Rockets 111 – 96 behind 32 points, eight rebounds and six assists by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
Isaiah Hartenstein contributed 21 points and eight rebounds to the Thunder win.
Alperen Sengun had 13 and 11 rebounds for the Rockets.