The Milwaukee Bucks claimed the 2nd annual Emirates NBA Cup With a dominating performance.
On Tuesday (December 17), the Bucks defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Giannis Antetokounmpo was named MVP of the tournament. He posted a triple-double with 26 points, 19 rebounds, and 10 assists. Continuing their hot streak, the Bucks have now won 13 of their past 16 games.
Antetokounmpo shared how he was focused on seizing the moment.
“When you approach a game like this, you’re not thinking about MVPs. You’re thinking about trying to win the game,” Antetokounmpo said. “And sometimes when you try to do whatever it takes, you put yourself in position to be successful and you’re able to get a trophy like that.”
“I don’t know why I got the MVP. I’m happy that I got it. I don’t take it for granted. I’m most happy we got to win the game,” Antetokounmpo continued. “Some of my teammates got life-changing money.”
While they enjoyed the moment, the Bucks elected to leave the champagne on ice.
Doc Rivers, Bucks head coach, spoke about how the team has to get right back to work.
“It’s tough,” Rivers said. “You come out of this and you’re back to the grind.”
“To coach a Giannis, to coach a Dame, to see that group, a veteran group, it’s an amazing opportunity for a coach,” Rivers went on. “This group allows you to coach them, they really do.”
Damian Lillard, who scored 23 points on five three-pointers, spoke about the team’s chemistry following their slow start.
“I don’t think you can flush [the poor start],” Lillard said. “But we’ve shown the team we started the season as is not the team that we are now, and it was never who we truly were.”
After a few days off, the Bucks will face the Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday, December 20.
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