The Milwaukee Bucks have taken another step towards a championship title, defeating the Atlanta Hawks 110-102 in their Emirates NBA Cup Semifinal matchup. The win moves the Bucks closer to becoming an Eastern Conference contender, and they will look to capitalize on this momentum as they advance to Tuesday’s championship game.
According to coach Doc Rivers, the team has “come correct” and is gaining confidence with each win. Star player Giannis Antetokounmpo was instrumental in securing the victory, scoring 32 points, grabbing 14 rebounds, and dishing out nine assists.
One notable play that showcased Giannis’ dominance came in the final two minutes of the game, when he blocked a Clint Capela lob with Brook Lopez. The block was reminiscent of a similar play from 2021 Finals Game 4, where Giannis had swatted away Deandre Ayton’s dunk attempt.
Middleton also played a key role in the win, despite being on a restricted minutes diet due to his recent return from ankle surgery. He scored six points and provided four assists, while committing just one turnover.
Defensively, the Bucks were able to limit Hawks point guard Trae Young to 10 assists, which ultimately limited Atlanta’s offense. Rivers emphasized that defending Young is crucial to preventing big shots and creating scoring opportunities for others.
The win marks a significant turnaround for the Bucks, who started the season 2-8 but have since won 12 of their last 15 games. With this momentum building, the team will look to seize the championship title in Tuesday’s matchup.
Source: https://www.nba.com/news/bucks-hawks-5-takeaways-from-emirates-nba-cup-semifinals