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Oklahoma City Thunder vs Milwaukee Bucks December 17th 2024
At 8:30 ET, the Thunder (-200) will host the Bucks (+171) in a non-conference matchup. The over/under line for this game is 215.5 points.
OKC is currently favored by 5 points and has won five straight games. Meanwhile, Milwaukee has won three straight and is 14-11 on the year. Tip-off will be at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
Bucks vs. Thunder Key Information
- Sport: NBA
- Teams: Milwaukee Bucks at Oklahoma City Thunder
- Where: Las Vegas at T-Mobile Arena
- Date: Tuesday, December 17th
- Betting Odds OKC -5, MIL +171 | OKC -200 O/U 215.5
The Bucks Can Win If…
Milwaukee improved to 14-11 on the season with a 110-102 win over Atlanta on Saturday. The Bucks, who were favored by 3.5 points, covered the spread at home. The game’s total of 212 points fell well short of the 233-point O/U line.
A key 12-0 run helped Milwaukee take control early, but Atlanta fought back in the 3rd quarter. The Bucks, however, clamped down in the 4th, outscoring the Hawks 28-19 to seal the win.
Giannis Antetokounmpo led the Bucks to a win over the Hawks with 32 points, 14 rebounds, and 9 assists, shooting 66.7% from the field. Damian Lillard added 25 points, hitting 5 threes at 35.7%, though he shot just 38.1% overall. Brook Lopez contributed 16 points, shooting 70% from the field.
The Bucks hit 14 threes at 31.1% and shot 45.3% overall. Giannis scored 10 points in the 4th quarter, while Lillard added 11 in the 3rd and 10 more in the 2nd.
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The Bucks held the Hawks to 102 points on Saturday, with a strong defensive effort in the 2nd and 4th quarters, where they allowed just 21 and 19 points, respectively. Milwaukee limited Atlanta to 42% shooting from the field.
Milwaukee gave up 10 three-pointers on 41% shooting from beyond the arc. The Hawks went to the line 34 times, making 22 free throws. The Bucks grabbed 41 defensive rebounds, allowing 7 offensive boards, and added 8 steals and 8 blocks.
- Milwaukee has played well in their previous 5 road games, going 3-2 straight up. In this stretch, they averaged 114 points per game while allowing 109. The team also performed well vs the spread at 3-2.
- Looking back on the team’s last five games as the underdog, the Bucks have a straight up record of 1-4. Their record vs the spread in these games was 3-2.
- Over their last five games, the Bucks have an over/under record of 2-3 and are 2-3 vs. the spread.
The Thunder Can Win If…
The Thunder improved to 20-5 this season with a 111-96 win over the Rockets on Saturday. Playing at home, Oklahoma City was favored by 5.5 points and covered the spread. The game’s total points of 207 fell short of the 215-point over/under line.
Oklahoma City took control with an 11-0 run, turning a 51-48 lead into 59-51. They outscored Houston 34-27 in the 3rd quarter and 36-27 in the 4th to seal the win.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Thunder with 32 points, 8 rebounds, and 6 assists in their 111-96 win over the Rockets, despite shooting just 38.1% from the field. Isaiah Hartenstein added 21 points on 75% shooting, and Jalen Williams contributed 20 points.
Oklahoma City shot 45% from the field and made 11 threes at a 36.7% clip. Gilgeous-Alexander scored 12 points in the 3rd quarter, while Hartenstein added 10 in the 4th, and Luguentz Dort scored 11 of his 19 points in the 3rd.
The Thunder put together a strong defensive performance on Saturday, holding the Rockets to just 96 points. They gave up 20 points in the 1st quarter and 22 in the 2nd, before allowing 27 points in both the 3rd and 4th quarters.
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Oklahoma City limited Houston to 36% shooting from the field, including 23% from beyond the arc, where the Rockets hit 11 threes. The Thunder also sent Houston to the line 25 times, where they made 15 free throws. Defensively, the Thunder recorded 12 steals and 4 blocks.
- Oklahoma City has played well in their previous five home games, going 4-1 straight up. In this stretch, they averaged 114 points per game while allowing 102. The team also performed well vs the spread at 3-2.
- In their last three games as the betting favorite, the Thunder have a strong straight up record of 3-0. In addition, their ATS record was 3-0 in these scenarios.
- In their last five games, the Thunder have an over/under record of 2-3 and are 3-2 vs. the spread.
The Lean
Entering the game as underdogs with a spread of +5, the Bucks is our point spread pick. Our projections not only see them covering the spread but also indicate a solid chance of an outright victory. This is a good choice for those looking for a higher moneyline payout.
Regarding the over/under, the current line is set at 215.5, and our model predicts the Bucks and Thunder to score a combined 257 points. We recommend betting on the over.
Bucks, Thunder Square Off for NBA Cup Title in Playoff-Like Atmosphere
The stakes are high as the Milwaukee Bucks and Oklahoma City Thunder face off in Las Vegas on Tuesday for the second-ever NBA Cup championship. For Milwaukee, led by Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard, it’s an opportunity to add another trophy to their resume. For Oklahoma City, it’s a chance to make a statement as the rising force in the Western Conference.
Milwaukee Bucks: A Team Hitting Its Stride
The Bucks (12-3 in their last 15 games) have surged after a rocky start to the season. Much of that success can be credited to Giannis Antetokounmpo, who has been virtually unstoppable. In Saturday’s 110-102 semifinal victory over the Atlanta Hawks, Giannis dominated with 32 points, 14 rebounds, and nine assists—falling just shy of a triple-double.
Giannis, averaging a league-leading 32.7 points per game, has once again inserted himself into the MVP conversation. However, the two-time MVP insists his focus remains on team success, not individual accolades.
“It takes so much more (than wanting to be the best). You’ve got to sacrifice so many things. You’ve got to be consistent… If that sometimes leads to success and individual accolades, that’s good. And if not, it is what it is,” Antetokounmpo said.
Equally critical to the Bucks’ resurgence has been the steady play of Damian Lillard. Lillard, averaging 25.7 points per game, provides the clutch scoring and floor leadership Milwaukee needs alongside Giannis. Together, they form one of the NBA’s most dynamic duos.
Oklahoma City: A Stepping Stone to Greatness
The Thunder enter the NBA Cup final as the surprise team of the season, leading the Western Conference with a 20-5 record. They’ve shown they belong among the league’s elite, led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s MVP-level performance.
In Oklahoma City’s 111-96 semifinal win over Houston, Gilgeous-Alexander stuffed the stat sheet with 32 points, eight rebounds, six assists, and five steals, once again proving why he’s one of the most complete players in the league.
Gilgeous-Alexander, who’s averaging 30.3 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 6.3 assists this season, understands the importance of this opportunity. For a young Thunder team yet to make a major postseason splash, the NBA Cup final is a learning experience with playoff-like intensity.
“This is like the closest thing you can get to a playoff environment (in the regular season),” said Thunder forward Jalen Williams. “It’s a good learning moment for us to be able to simulate what’s going on during the playoffs… to where we can flex that muscle now and be better later in the season.”
Williams himself has been a rising star for Oklahoma City, averaging 21.7 points and a team-high 6.1 rebounds per game. His versatility and consistency have been crucial, particularly with Chet Holmgren sidelined for the last month due to a hip injury.
Stepping Up Without Holmgren
Oklahoma City has not skipped a beat despite Holmgren’s absence, thanks to contributions from players like Isaiah Hartenstein, who’s stepped into a larger role. Hartenstein is averaging 12.5 points per game and delivered a key 21-point performance in the semifinal against Houston.
The Thunder’s ability to adapt and excel without one of their cornerstone players highlights their depth and resilience—a critical attribute as they aim to take down a championship-tested team like the Bucks.
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Key Matchup: Giannis vs. Shai
The battle between Giannis Antetokounmpo and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander will be the centerpiece of this matchup. Both players are firmly entrenched in the MVP conversation and capable of taking over games.
Giannis’ power and dominance in the paint will challenge Oklahoma City’s interior defense, while Shai’s smooth scoring and playmaking will look to exploit any gaps in Milwaukee’s perimeter coverage.
What’s at Stake
For the Bucks, winning the NBA Cup would further solidify their place among the league’s elite and showcase the dominance of their superstar duo in Giannis and Lillard.
For the Thunder, this game represents more than just a trophy—it’s a chance to prove they’re ready for the bright lights and high stakes of the NBA’s biggest moments. A victory over a team with championship pedigree like Milwaukee would send a powerful message to the rest of the league.
The Bottom Line
With a playoff-like atmosphere and two MVP candidates leading the way, the NBA Cup final between the Bucks and Thunder promises high-intensity basketball. Can Milwaukee’s experience and star power overwhelm Oklahoma City, or will the Thunder announce themselves as the NBA’s next great team with a statement win?
All eyes will be on Las Vegas to see which team claims the NBA Cup and takes home the season’s first trophy.
