The 2024 NBA Cup quarterfinals have come to a close, and four teams will move on to the semifinals in Las Vegas. The Milwaukee Bucks, Oklahoma City Thunder, Atlanta Hawks, and Houston Rockets delivered intense performances that showcased their strengths.
Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard led the Bucks to a hard-fought 114-109 win over the Orlando Magic. Antetokounmpo dropped 37 points on 15-of-24 shooting, while Lillard provided 28 points and nine assists to seal the deal for Milwaukee.
The Thunder dominated the Dallas Mavericks, stifling Luka Doncic’s efforts with a physical defense that forced him into just 16 points on 5-of-15 shooting. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s offense was often overshadowed by OKC’s strong team defense, which will be crucial in winning games against top teams.
In the Hawks’ thrilling 108-100 win over the New York Knicks, Trae Young delivered a clutch performance with four fourth-quarter assists that propelled Atlanta to victory. Despite missing all his shots in the final quarter, Young’s contribution was instrumental in securing the team’s spot in the semifinals.
The Houston Rockets also survived an ugly game against the Golden State Warriors, winning 91-90 on a strange foul call at the end of a scramble for a loose ball. Jalen Green sunk two free throws to seal the win, and Jabari Smith Jr.’s block of Brandin Podziemski’s potential three-pointer secured the victory.
The Rockets’ gritty performance is a testament to their growth as a team, despite facing adversity in a game that was more about survival than skill. As they move on to Las Vegas, coach Ime Udoka will look to build on this momentum and propel his young team towards success.
Source: https://www.si.com/nba/nba-cup-quarterfinals-takeaways-bucks-stars-shine-thunder-defense-suffocates