Wednesday’s double-header at the Association featured a pair of NBA Emirates Cup games. Both were knockout matchups that saw one team book the first tickets to Las Vegas and another take a step toward it.
Bucks Outlast Magic to Book First NBA Emirates Cup Semis Slot
The Milwaukee Bucks became the first semi-finalist of the NBA Emirates Cup on Wednesday after outlasting the Orlando Magic, 114-109, at Kia Center.
Giannis Antetokounmpo paced the Bucks with a game-high 37 points on top of 7 boards and 4 blocks, but it was Damian Lillard’s two clutch buckets with under a minute left that nudged Milwaukee to the victory. Lillard finished with 29 points and 9 assists.
Jalen Suggs had 32 points and 9 rebounds for the Magic, who were without their two best players in Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner.
With the win, the Bucks are officially the only returnee to Las Vegas for the NBA Emirates Cup, having done so last season as well.
Thunder Rout Mavs, Inch Closer to Vegas
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander continued his MVP-caliber season on Wednesday, dropping 39 markers to lead the Oklahoma City Thunder to a 118-104 blowout of the Dallas Mavericks at Paycom Center.
OKC used a strong first and third quarter to build an advantage over the Mavericks, who had won seven of their last eight games coming in. SGA added 8 rebounds, 5 assists, and 3 steals to his tally, while Jalen Williams chipped in 18. Isaiah Hartenstein had 10 points and 13 boards.
Klay Thompson’s 19 markers paced the Mavs, who got a rather pedestrian 16-point, 11-rebound outing from Luka Doncic. The Slovenian sensation was only 5-for-15 and committed 6 turnovers. Kyrie Irving also had a quiet night with 17 points.
The Thunder are now through to the NBA Emirates Cup semis and now await the winner of Thursday’s other quarterfinal matchup between the Golden State Warriors and Houston Rockets.
