The Milwaukee Bucks are back in the semi-finals of the NBA Cup after clutch performances from Damian Lillard and Giannis Antetokounmpo against the Orlando Magic at the Fiserv Forum.
The squad reached the semis last year only to be booted out by the Indiana Pacers.
Lillard said it is their mission to reach Las Vegas as they thought they weren’t able to complete it last season.
What’s the difference this time? He believes it is because of the fact that they are not the favorites this year to win the Cup.
He added that their early season struggle helped fixed their mindset.
“I think last year, we were probably expected to go. This year, we had a little bit of adversity to start the season. And now we’re getting ourselves going. We fought for this one, this one a little bit different,” he said during courtside interview after the win.
As for their mentality on their return to Vegas, he said they are hungry to do things right, especially now that they found their groove.
“We didn’t have a great experience out there last year. I think all of us are thinking, going back and finishing what we started last year and doing it right this time.”
Bucks now await the winner of the match between the New York Knicks and the Atlanta Hawks.
Damian Lillard was clutch against the Magic
The Greek Freak topscored for the team with 37 points. He was also sensational on the defensive end with his four blocks, two steals, and countless deflections.
Lillard finished what Antetokounmpo started.
The team almost lost the game with under one minute remaining in the fourth quarter. Dame Time happened.
Lillard had the ball with the Magic up by 3, 106-103. He took matters into his own hands by faking a drive and then going for a step back to sink the equalizer.
The Bucks made a stop the next play and Lillard, again with the ball, abuse the defense by the Magic and went straight to the basket for an easy dunk to get back the lead.
Damian Lillard is so clutch.
28 PTS | 9 AST | 10-10 FT | 53% FG pic.twitter.com/5X9whG0CaE
— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) December 11, 2024
He then iced the game with his two free throws.
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