NBA Thread

[BouncerGuy]

Antetokounmpo inspires Bucks to NBA Cup final win

Giannis Antetokounmpo claimed a triple-double as the Milwaukee Bucks beat the Oklahoma City Thunder in this season's NBA Cup final.

The mid-season tournament was introduced last year, with the semi-finals and final taking place in Las Vegas, and the Bucks became the second winners with a 97-81 victory at the T-Mobile Arena.

Antetokounmpo registered 26 points, 19 rebounds and 10 assists before being named the tournament's Most Valuable Player.

Damian Lillard added 23 points for the Bucks, while Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Thunder with 21 points but shot just eight-for-24 in a poor shooting performance from the Western Conference leaders.

Milwaukee led 51-50 at half-time and 77-64 heading into the fourth period, with Brook Lopez scoring successive three-point jumpers to stretch their lead to 86-66.

"I'm so proud of the group," said Antetokounmpo, a two-time league MVP. "Everybody was extremely locked in.

"We came in, we were focused, played great basketball, and we were able to win. We had this goal as a team, and we accomplished it."

Former champions continue turnaround

Tuesday's victory meant the Bucks continued their turnaround in form. After starting the season with a 2-8 record, the 2021 NBA champions have won 13 of their past 16 games.

All NBA Cup fixtures are counted as regular-season games except the final, with the Bucks now fifth in the Eastern Conference on 14-11.

"I wouldn't say it completely flushes [the poor start] because we can't get those games back," said Lillard.

"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."

Jalen Williams added 18 points for a youthful Thunder team which sits atop the Western Conference (20-5).

"It's rare to have a feeling like this where it feels like the play-offs, and we'll kind of take it and learn from it," he added.

"It's a good opportunity for every team that's in the cup, especially us being as young as we are, to simulate being in a different city for however long and kind of having a play-off feel to it. It's definitely good practice."

BBC

 

[BouncerGuy]

LeBron James sets new NBA record in Lakers win

LeBron James broke the record for the most minutes played in NBA history as he helped the Los Angeles Lakers beat the Sacramento Kings.

The 39-year-old American surpassed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar when he completed his 57,447th minute on court in the 113-100 victory on Friday.

James, who eclipsed Abdul-Jabbar for the NBA all-time scoring record earlier this year, scored 19 points while team-mate Austin Reaves led with 25 points.

"It's just a commitment to the craft and to the passion and love I have for the game," said James.

"I don't take much time in the off-season, a little bit more time now."

Elsewhere, Brooklyn Nets centre Nic Claxton was ejected from the court for throwing a ball into the crowd during his side's 101-94 win over the Toronto Raptors.

Claxton showed his frustration after being fouled on his way to the basket before being escorted off court by officials after attempting to throw a cushion.

Meanwhile, Zach LaVine scored a season-high 36 points as he guided the Chicago Bulls to a 117-108 win over defending champions the Boston Celtics.

LaVine sunk six three-pointers while adding six rebounds and four assists as the Bulls recorded their third straight victory.

French star Victor Wembanyama scored 42 points to help the San Antonio Spurs to a 133-126 overtime triumph over the Atlanta Hawks, while Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's 35 points led Oklahoma City Thunder to a 105-99 win over Orlando Magic.

There were also victories for the Memphis Grizzlies, the New York Knicks and the Houston Rockets.

BBC

 

[BouncerGuy]

Embiid ejected after confronting referee

Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid was ejected from his team's 111-106 win against the San Antonio Spurs after confronting a referee.

Embiid was given a third foul against him by referee Jenna Schroeder when he charged Victor Wembanyama, knocking the Frenchman to the floor with two minutes and 59 seconds remaining of the first half.

The 76ers player argued the call with Schroeder and then had to be restrained from the official as he ripped off his protective face mask and continued his protests, leading to two technical fouls and his ejection from the match.

Earlier on, Schroeder's decision to eject Philadelphia's Andre Drummond for two technical fouls following a challenge on Wembanyama had been overturned.

"It was a wild first half," 76ers coach Nick Nurse said.

Tyrese Maxey produced 32 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists to inspire Philadelphia to victory, while Wembanyama managed 26 points, nine rebounds and eight blocked shots.

Elsewhere, reigning NBA champions the Boston Celtics, who led by 15 points at half-time, suffered a 108-104 defeat by the Orlando Magic.

Tristan da Silva scored a team-high 18 points for Orlando against a Celtics team missing Jayson Tatum, who was unwell.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander impressed as he scored 41 points to help Western Conference leaders Oklahoma City Thunder to a 123-105 win against the Washington Wizards.

BBC