Giannis Antetokounmpo has ‘unfinished business’ after NBA Cup quarterfinal win
Giannis Antetounmpo and the Bucks claimed a 114-109 win over the Orlando Magic in the NBA Cup quarterfinals.
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Giannis Antetounmpo revealed unfinished business after NBA Cup Quarterfinals victory
The Milwaukee Bucks are heading back to Las Vegas after a hard-fought 114-109 victory over the Orlando Magic in the NBA Cup quarterfinals. This marks the second consecutive year the Bucks have reached this stage, but the memory of last season’s semifinal loss looms large. For Giannis Antetokounmpo, the trip is a chance to settle “unfinished business.”
The Bucks were the only returning team to make the semifinals of the NBA Cup, with Antetokounmpo reflecting on last year’s disappointment. Despite a stellar season, the Bucks fell to the Indiana Pacers in the inaugural in-season tournament. Now, with the lessons learned from that experience, Giannis Antetokounmpo has his eyes set on finishing the job.
I’m very happy that we are able to go to Vegas. We have unfinished business.
Giannis Antetokounmpo said
"We have unfinished business… We are going there to win games."
— NBA (@NBA) December 11, 2024
Giannis on the @Bucks moving onto the #EmiratesNBACup Semifinals in Las Vegas ? pic.twitter.com/GRBnYrBso4
Giannis Antentokounmpo said after Tuesday’s game. These words encapsulate the Greek Freak’s mentality as he looks to propel Milwaukee to the NBA Cup final. The Bucks have been playing strong basketball lately, and Antetokounmpo’s 37-point performance against Orlando was the cherry on top for their victory on Tuesday.
The quarterfinal wasn’t without its challenges. Jalen Suggs, leading a shorthanded Magic roster without Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner, scored 32 points, including 18 in the fourth quarter. Suggs came tantalizingly close to engineering an upset, but his missed three-pointer with 12 seconds left sealed the Bucks’ win, with Giannis Antetokounmpo ending as the game’s leading scorer.
Damian Lillard echoes Giannis Antetokounmpo’s ‘unfinished business’ sentiment
Damian Lillard, who added 28 points, including clutch buckets in the final minute, echoed Giannis Antetokounmpo’s mindset. In his postgame interview, Lillard emphasized the importance of learning from past failures.
We didn’t have the greatest experience [in the semifinals in Las Vegas] last year. I think all of us are thinking, going back and finishing what we started last year and doing it right this time.
Damian Lillard said
Lillard’s ‘Dame Time’ heroics were critical to securing the win. His game-tying three-pointer and go-ahead layup justified doubters who questioned why Milwaukee acquired him last offseason. The Bucks’ consistency in the NBA Cup so far, coupled with Lillard’s big-game experience, is setting the stage for a promising run.
The road to redemption will not be easy. The Bucks will face either the New York Knicks or Atlanta Hawks in the semifinals, two teams that pose significant challenges. However, Milwaukee’s recent form suggests they are peaking at the right time, with Antetokounmpo and Lillard putting up big performances on any given night.
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Armaan Gupta
(324 Articles Published)