12-14-2024
LAS VEGAS – The Milwaukee Bucks nailed the first ticket to the 2024 NBA Cup Finals by outlasting the Atlanta Hawks, 110-102, on Saturday night at the T-Mobile Arena.
After taking an 83-82 lead at the end of the third quarter, both teams engaged in a spirited fourth quarter that saw the lead change hands multiple times.
But a 12-foot floater by Dame Lillard put the stubborn Hawks away for good as Milwaukee surged ahead with a comfortable five-point cushion in the final 23 seconds of play.]
The former Trail Blazers star finished with 25 points and 7 assists but it was the fine play of two-time league MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo that gave the Hawks fits ecpecially in the final frame where The Greek Freak made bucket after bucket to hold off Atlanta’s last stand.
Antetokounmpo barely missed a triple-double with 32 points, 14 rebounds and 9 assists while hitting 10-of-15 shots.
“I’ll do whatever it takes to win a game,” Antentokounmp told reporters. “I’m happy that I did because it translated to the whole team. You got to do what is necessary to close this one out. I’m just proud of my teammates.”
Trae Young had a sizzling 35 points and 10 assists to carry the Hawks but it fell short as Atlanta hit just 42.7 percent from the field (35-of-82) and lost the rebounds battle, 47-42.
The Bucks will await the victor of the other semifinal showdown between the OKC Thunder and the Houston Rockets.
