NBA Cup Finals - Bucks/Thunder - 12/17/24 - 7:30 - ABC - Middleton Out

Post #1 » by **MickeyDavis** » Sun Dec 15, 2024 4:13 am

I put game threads up the day before but in this case we'll start early.

One game by itself isn't much of a barometer but this will be a challenge. OKC is very good.

Last year we beat them by 25 at home and lost on the road late in the season without Giannis and Dame (both injured).

This game does not count in the standings and individual stats also do not count.

Please limit posts to this game only. Thx.

A win would be great. A loss isn't a big deal. 28 teams didn't get this far.

Go Bucks

MiltownMadness · Post #2 » by **MiltownMadness** » Sun Dec 15, 2024 4:22 am

It's cool to get a premiere Bucks matchup for free. Doesn't count towards W/L, basically the perfect game to watch for enjoyment.

OKC vs. Milwaukee finals preview. League is in shambles 8-)

ShootingtheJ · Post #3 » by **ShootingtheJ** » Sun Dec 15, 2024 4:25 am

Great measuring stick game. Is this Cup Finals an NBA Finals preview?

skbucks1985 · Post #4 » by **skbucks1985** » Sun Dec 15, 2024 4:26 am

I'm so very curious how the Thunder try to matchup inside because outside of Hartenstein they don't currently have a guy in their rotation over 6'6. I'm thinking they put Hartenstein on Giannis and hope Brook doesn't turn back the clock and kill them inside. I also think its possible we see a lot more of Kenrich Williams than we do normally and even though he'd be giving up a lot of height, hope Brook can hold up in terms of staying in position.

ReginaldDwight · Post #5 » by **ReginaldDwight** » Sun Dec 15, 2024 4:27 am

No Chet is a big loss for the thunder, Giannis should feast in this one. Legacy Game incoming

MiltownMadness · Post #6 » by **MiltownMadness** » Sun Dec 15, 2024 4:28 am

After watching the OKC/Houston game, OKC is SMALL and really not a great 3 point shooting team. Think this is a really good matchup for us where the size will prove to be a big advantage. If our defense is set they will have a tough time scoring.

tydett · Post #7 » by **tydett** » Sun Dec 15, 2024 4:42 am

Said in the PG thread, but OKC is young and hungry. Dame and Khris cannot be lackadaisical with the ball or they'll get it just absolutely taken from them. Key for me is - do the Bucks get lazy on rebounding and let Hartenstein grab 8 O Rebs and give them second chances.
That being said, they really are not well equipped to deal with Giannis. Dude might just single handedly win the game as long as he plays smart and avoids charges, which he's been awesome at the past year and a half.

Post #8 » by **MickeyDavis** » Sun Dec 15, 2024 4:44 am

Cleaning out the same Dame debate that's already ongoing in the Hawks PG thread

viewtopic.php?f=21&t=2423764&start=100

MiltownMadness · Post #9 » by **MiltownMadness** » Sun Dec 15, 2024 4:45 am

Sucks we will have to watch Shai grift against us, he is above Trae level with it. The point that Dame doesn't get those grift calls because we have Giannis was spot on by somebody in the GT. We would be unbeatable if they called both GA/Dame for the fouls they deserve. This is why Dame needs to stop grifting, they don't call it for you and you're turning the ball over with these awful shots that should be fouls

Plossum · Post #10 » by **Plossum** » Sun Dec 15, 2024 4:53 am

This could be about as good as this season gets so I’m all in.

theFireBlanket · Post #11 » by **theFireBlanket** » Sun Dec 15, 2024 5:14 am

MiltownMadness wrote:Sucks we will have to watch Shai grift against us, he is above Trae level with it. The point that Dame doesn't get those grift calls because we have Giannis was spot on by somebody in the GT. We would be unbeatable if they called both GA/Dame for the fouls they deserve. This is why Dame needs to stop grifting, they don't call it for you and you're turning the ball over with these awful shots that should be fouls

One problem is when they don't even call legitimate fouls on Dame.

Post #12 » by **MickeyDavis** » Sun Dec 15, 2024 5:15 am

Thunder open as 4.5 point favorites as expected.

blazza18 · Post #13 » by **blazza18** » Sun Dec 15, 2024 5:15 am

I would be floored if we had an above average offensive performance but hopefully the magic of the cup can ugly this one up for both sides and Giannis/Brook do enough work in the paint to carry us.

drew881 · Post #14 » by **drew881** » Sun Dec 15, 2024 5:16 am

Expecting a big game out of Giddey.

Post #15 » by **MickeyDavis** » Sun Dec 15, 2024 5:17 am

blazza18 wrote:I would be floored if we had an above average offensive performance but hopefully the magic of the cup can ugly this one up for both sides and Giannis/Brook do enough work in the paint to carry us.

The O/U is 213.5. For the Hawks game today it was 233.5. Points will be at a premium.

randy84 · Post #16 » by **randy84** » Sun Dec 15, 2024 5:38 am

MiltownMadness · Post #17 » by **MiltownMadness** » Sun Dec 15, 2024 5:41 am

theFireBlanket wrote:
MiltownMadness wrote:Sucks we will have to watch Shai grift against us, he is above Trae level with it. The point that Dame doesn't get those grift calls because we have Giannis was spot on by somebody in the GT. We would be unbeatable if they called both GA/Dame for the fouls they deserve. This is why Dame needs to stop grifting, they don't call it for you and you're turning the ball over with these awful shots that should be fouls

One problem is when they don't even call legitimate fouls on Dame.

Agreed, but it's because we have Giannis.

chonestown · Post #18 » by **chonestown** » Sun Dec 15, 2024 5:41 am

River, Lake vs The Cock Ring

to close too call.imo

Post #19 » by **ReasonablySober** » Sun Dec 15, 2024 6:06 am

Beat. Their. Ass.

MissKhriddleton · Post #20 » by **MissKhriddleton** » Sun Dec 15, 2024 6:32 am

I’ve been dreaming of winning the cup for year.