NBA Cup Final Showdown: Top 3 Questions Impacting Bucks vs Thunder Outcome!

On Tuesday in Las Vegas, the Milwaukee Bucks and Oklahoma City Thunder will clash to crown the winner of the NBA’s second in-season tournament. This matchup promises to be exciting.

Early in the season, the Thunder have surged to the forefront of the Western Conference, contending for the NBA championship despite numerous injuries among their big men. Conversely, the Bucks, on the verge of a potential early season disaster, have seen Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard synergize on the court to pull the team back into contention.

These two title contenders now face off in a game that mirrors playoff intensity. The rigorous nature of the quarterfinals and semifinals underscores the seriousness with which teams are approaching the tournament, with star players logging heavy minutes and rotations mirroring those typically seen in the postseason. The NBA Cup is being treated as a prime opportunity for teams to test their playoff readiness, with the final game being the ultimate test.

Here are three crucial questions expected to define the outcome of the game.

Can the Thunder Neutralize Giannis Antetokounmpo?

Lately, Antetokounmpo has been outstanding for the Bucks, surpassing even his usual high standards by scoring 30 points or more in five straight games and maintaining a shooting accuracy of over 60% in his last three. His performance in the semifinals against the Atlanta Hawks was particularly stellar, with a stat line that included 32 points, 14 rebounds, nine assists, four blocks, and a steal.

The Thunder face a daunting challenge in trying to contain him, especially as they are currently depleted in the center position. With only Isaiah Hartenstein standing over 6’7″ in their healthy rotation, the team has had to improvise, sometimes positioning Jalen Williams as a makeshift center—a strategy that has proven surprisingly effective in limited minutes. However, against Antetokounmpo’s imposing 6’11”, 244-pound frame, this approach may falter.

The strategy for slowing down Antetokounmpo is well-known yet hard to execute. It involves deploying multiple strong defenders to exhaust him by forcing him to repeatedly overcome one-on-one matchups. Despite the defensive prowess of players like Williams and Lu Dort, their size disadvantage makes it a tough task. It will require a collective defensive effort from the Thunder to limit the Bucks’ star from consistently breaking down their defense.

Will Damian Lillard Excel in Isolation Defense?

In a game that mirrors postseason conditions, expect strategies typical of playoff basketball. A common tactic is to exploit the weakest defender in isolation plays. Lillard, known more for his offensive prowess than his defense, will be critical for Milwaukee’s defensive effectiveness.

The Thunder thrive in isolation, ranking among the top in the NBA for isolation possessions and points scored from these plays. With a roster skilled in driving to the basket but less equipped with sharpshooters, they often rely on isolation and transition plays to score.

Given these factors, it seems likely that OKC will frequently target Lillard in one-on-one situations, aiming to wear him down and take advantage of his defensive vulnerabilities. If they succeed in making Lillard expend energy defensively while still scoring efficiently, the Thunder could secure a significant advantage.

This approach is not new; Lillard defends a high volume of shots and opponents have a nearly 50% shooting success rate against him. If OKC can maintain this effectiveness, it could spell trouble for Milwaukee.

Can the Thunder Dominate in Turnover and Transition Play?

The Thunder excel in key areas this season: they lead the NBA in fewest turnovers per game and most steals, which feeds directly into their strong transition game, where they also rank highly. These elements are crucial to their identity and success.

By forcing turnovers and limiting their own, OKC effectively controls the pace and flow of the game, allowing them to capitalize on transition opportunities while preventing opponents from doing the same. This strategy not only highlights their strengths but also mitigates their reliance on isolation plays, which could be less effective against a team with high-caliber players like Antetokounmpo and Lillard.

Maintaining this approach will be vital for the Thunder to overcome the Bucks, emphasizing the importance of controlling turnovers and dominating in transition to tilt the game in their favor.

More NBA on Sports Illustrated