The Milwaukee Bucks and Oklahoma
City Thunder emerged victorious in the first quarterfinal matchups
of the Emirates NBA Cup 2024, showcasing grit and tactical
adjustments as they punched their tickets to the semifinals and
onto Las Vegas.

Bucks Overcome Undermanned Magic

Milwaukee outlasted a depleted
but determined Orlando Magic team, winning 114-109. The Magic,
without their top stars Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner, relied on
a committee approach and defensive pressure to stay competitive.
They even managed to cut the lead to a single possession late in
the fourth quarter. However, the Bucks leaned on their dynamic duo
of Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard to seal the
victory.

Antetokounmpo delivered a
stellar 37-point performance, dominating in transition and on the
boards, while Lillard contributed 28 points, including crucial
buckets in crunch time. Milwaukee’s ability to execute offensively
and maintain composure under pressure underscored why they are the
only team from last year’s semifinals still in contention. For
Orlando, the game highlighted their depth and resolve but also the
limitations of competing without their two cornerstone
players.

Thunder Exact Revenge on Mavericks

In a rematch of last season’s
Western Conference semifinals, the Oklahoma City Thunder defeated
the Dallas Mavericks 117-108. The game marked a critical test for
OKC, particularly after being out-rebounded and outmuscled in prior
matchups. The addition of Isaiah Hartenstein, returning from
injury, was a game-changer as he anchored the Thunder’s efforts
inside, helping offset Dallas’ size advantage.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the
Thunder offensively, outpacing Luka Dončić with timely scoring and
clutch playmaking. OKC also made strategic adjustments without Josh
Giddey, whose struggles in last year’s series had been a talking
point. The Thunder exploited their defensive strengths, forcing
turnovers and converting fast-break opportunities to keep Dallas
off balance. Luka Dončić’s brilliance wasn’t enough to carry the
Mavericks, who struggled to contain Oklahoma City’s fluid ball
movement and defensive intensity.

With these wins, both Milwaukee
and Oklahoma City advance to the semifinals, showcasing why they
remain strong contenders for the NBA Cup title.