The final four of the NBA Cup are announced, Hawks vs. Bucks , Rockets vs. Thunder , on Sunday, December 15th, Taiwan time, at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The two teams will compete for the championship on the 18th. To analyze the battle between the semi-finals, we have to make an in-depth analysis from the attributes of the NBA Cup and the regular season results.
The NBA Cup quarter-finals are single-elimination. If you lose, you will not advance. In addition to the championship game, the results of the group preliminaries, quarter-finals, and semi-finals will be counted towards the regular season record. This kind of one-defeat elimination game is still rare in the NBA season culture. The one-defeat knockout round is completely unlike the best-of-seven games in the NBA playoffs. Players have no room for error, and coaches have no chance to make adjustments. The ball movement, the whistle, and the final shot may all determine the final outcome.
The Warriors played against the Rockets in the quarterfinals. The Warriors led the Rockets 90:84 in the last 3 minutes, but were reversed by the Rockets 91:90 in the end. The Warriors did not score or make free throws in the last 3 minutes. Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga fouled 3 seconds before the end. , Rockets guard Jalen Green made both free throws, taking a 91-90 lead. The Warriors’ last shot, guard Brandin Podziemski, was blocked from the three-point line. The Warriors missed the chance to reach the NBA Cup semi-finals.
The Rockets defeated the Warriors by 1 point and advanced to the final four of the NBA Cup. Video source: Rockets official YouTube channel
The Eastern Conference teams that have reached the NBA Cup semi-finals are the Bucks, who are currently sixth in record, and the Eagles, who are seventh.
Hawks vs. Bucks pre-game analysis
The Bucks have won 8 of the last 10 games. Bucks coach Doc Rivers has gradually brought the Bucks to where they should be. Forward Giannis Antetokounmpo continues to show amazing game dominance. Averaging 32.7 points, 11.4 rebounds, and 6 assists per game, with a field goal percentage of 61.2%, guard Damian Lillard has also established a better understanding with his teammates. The Bucks are now a force that cannot be ignored in the Eastern Conference.
As long as Antetokounmpo stays healthy, his dominance on the court is unquestionable. Video source: Buck YouTube official channel
The Bucks defended better. Lillard played more aggressively in the pick-and-roll with Antetokounmpo and Bobby Portis. Both ends of the offense and defense were significantly improved. Key role players AJ Green and Cui Lant (Gary Trent Jr.) and Brook Lopez (Brook Lopez) have improved their recent performance and playing time. The Bucks have gotten rid of the slump of 2 wins and 8 losses in the first 10 games of the season.
