Las Vegas is once again home to the NBA Cup finals! This is bound to be a war as it pits two solid defensive teams who are 9-1 (Thunder) and 8-2 (Bucks) over their last 10 games.

Catch the game tomorrow at 9:30 AM, Manila time.

Oklahoma City Thunder (20-5)

Projected starting five:

  • Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
  • Cason Wallace
  • Lu Dort
  • Jalen Williams
  • Isaiah Hartenstein

The Thunder are 9-1 over their last 10 outings. They are averaging 117.1 points per game while only giving up 102.8 points on the other end, right on brand to their top-rated defense. OKC ranks first in points allowed and defensive rating on the season – what’s scary is they’ve maintained all that despite big man Chet Holmgren being out since November 11th. 

Topping off the defensive prowess is they also have one of the league’s best offensive players in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. The 26-year-old is gunning for a third-straight campaign with over 30 or more PPG, and is posting 30.3 PPG on the season thus far, as well as 6.3 assists and 1.9 steals on an efficient 51% clip from the floor. Jalen Williams is right there with SGA as he too is scoring well while also causing a ton of opponent errors: 21.7 PPG, 6.1 RPG, 5.0 APG, 2.0 SPG.

Isaiah Hartenstein and Lu Dort will continue leading the secondary weapons, with the former being a rim-running center and interior presence, and the latter being a reliable defender. Hartenstein is garnering a double-double of 12.3 points and 12.4 boards, efficiently filling the void left from Holmgren’s injury.

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Milwaukee Bucks (14-11)

Projected starting five:

  • Damian Lillard
  • Gary Trent Jr.
  • Taurean Prince
  • Giannis Antetokounmpo
  • Brook Lopez

The Bucks are staying hot. They are now winners in 9 of their last 11 games, scoring 115.5 PPG with a +15.5 point differential. Their defense has stepped up nicely and come alive pretty well after a terrible start.

‘The Greek Freak’ Giannis Antetokounmpo is at the very center as he is leading the league in points at 32.7 PPG, alongside a statsheet-stuffing 11.5 rebounds, 6.1 assists, and 1.6 steals per game on 61.4% shooting. The tandem with Damian Lillard (25.7 PPG, 7.5 APG), which was at a very questionable state just a couple of weeks ago, is progressively getting stronger.

With Khris Middleton (7.8 PPG, 25.6 FG%) struggling and coming off an injury, Bobby Portis (13.1 PPG, 7.7 RPG), Brook Lopez (11.2 PPG, 2.1 BPG), and Gary Trent Jr. are now the main secondary help. Lopez broke out of a funk this past Sunday as he had 16 points and two blocks in their win vs. the Atlanta Hawks.

PICKS:

Spread: OKC (-5.5)

Over/Under: Over (215.5)

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