Two of the best rosters in the league compete for the second NBA Cup Championship on Tuesday when the Milwaukee Bucks clash with the Oklahoma City Thunder.
The Cup, and the $500,000 prize for each player that comes with it is up for grabs in Vegas after each team advanced over the weekend — Milwaukee with an eight-point win against Atlanta and Oklahoma City a 15-point victory against Houston.
Milwaukee’s turned a 3-8 start to a 14-11 record, catching fire at the right time backed by their superstars. There is some roster news to monitor for Tuesday though, as both Khris Middleton (illness) and Damian Lillard (calf) missed Monday’s practice. Both are currently probable to play in the NBA Cup Championship, where Milwaukee comes in as a +165 moneyline underdog. The total is set at 216.5 on the NBA odds. Tip-off at T-Mobile Arena goes at 8:30 p.m. EST.
Bucks vs. Thunder NBA Betting Odds
OKC heads into Tuesday having covered in five straight contests, and have won all five by double digits. Over this five-game win streak, the Thunder have a point differential of +103 and have yet to allow 110 points in any of those outings. The Thunder are 16-8-1 ATS this season.
Milwaukee is 1-5 outright as an underdog this season, which is composed of losses against the East’s top teams (Cleveland and Boston). But when it comes to the West’s top team, the Bucks are 8-1 in their last nine meetings with the Thunder. OKC does have the most recent win though, a 125-107 drubbing last April in which Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard did not play.
Milwaukee Bucks
Giannis Antetokounmpo finished an assist shy of a triple-double in Saturday’s 110-102 victory over Atlanta, which showed everything you need to know about the zone he’s in. Since the Lakers are the only team to win an NBA Cup, this is a chance for Antetokounmpo to get another piece of new hardware — not to mention the financial incentive for he and his teammates.
The Bucks will need a little more from Damian Lillard if they are to pull off the championship upset. Lillard finished with 25 points Saturday but only covered on five of his 14 threes, and is only 13 for 38 (34.2 per cent) from deep in his last four outings. Someone to watch on Milwaukee is Bobby Portis. The Bucks forward has had outings of 23, 22, and 10 points in his last three games and is 74.9 per cent from the field in that stretch.
Oklahoma City Thunder
The Thunder are gaining experience as they ascend to the top of the West, making Tuesday valuable in that aspect but also serving as a dress rehearsal for the more important basketball looming in the spring — a dress rehearsal with $500,000 attached for everyone to it. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is showing he’s ready for the big stage, with the Canadian phenom scoring 20 fourth-quarter points on Saturday against Houston.
OKC’s starting five continues to come with a balanced scoring attack as the trio of Isaiah Hartenstein, Jalen Williams, and Luguentz Dort finished with 21, 20, and 19 points respectively in Saturday’s win. If there’s a dark horse scorer off the bench to emerge — look for Alex Caruso. The 30-year-old didn’t score a basket on Saturday but did play a team-high 20 minutes, has big-game experience, and can shoot the three with consistency.
NBA Prediction: Who Will Win Bucks vs. Thunder?
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
| time | fav | line | total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Opening 16 Dec 4:23am | - | - | O +214.5 -110 |
| Closing 18 Dec 3:43am | - | - | O +195.5 -125 |
- Regular Season
Bucks Team Leaders
| Points |
30.53 |
| Assists |
7.2 |
| Rebounds |
12.13 |
| FG% |
100 |
| Steals |
1.29 |
| Blocks |
1.94 |
| Points |
32.77 |
| Assists |
6.22 |
| Rebounds |
11.11 |
| FG% |
57.3 |
| Steals |
1.78 |
| Blocks |
2.67 |
- Regular Season
Thunder Team Leaders
| Points |
30.53 |
| Assists |
7.2 |
| Rebounds |
12.13 |
| FG% |
100 |
| Steals |
1.29 |
| Blocks |
1.94 |
| Points |
32.77 |
| Assists |
6.22 |
| Rebounds |
11.11 |
| FG% |
57.3 |
| Steals |
1.78 |
| Blocks |
2.67 |
Injuries
Kevin Porter Jr. (SG)
Tyler Smith (PF)
Chris Livingston (SF)
Kyle Kuzma (PF)
Ryan Rollins (PG)
Gary Trent Jr. (SG)
Kyle Kuzma (PF)
Kyle Kuzma (PF)
Pete Nance (SF)
Gary Trent Jr. (SG)
Aaron Wiggins (SG)
Alex Caruso (SG)
Luguentz Dort (SG)
Isaiah Hartenstein (C)
Chet Holmgren (C)
Aaron Wiggins (SG)
Alex Caruso (SG)
Isaiah Joe (PG)
Chet Holmgren (C)
Ousmane Dieng (PF)
Injuries
| player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kevin Porter Jr. (SG) | Prob Sat | Ankle - 14 / 03 / 25 | 1-2 | 1-2 | + - |
|
Porter is fighting off a left ankle sprain, but he is expected to suit up against the Pacers on Saturday. |
|||||
| Tyler Smith (PF) | Ques Sat | Back - 11 / 03 / 25 | 0-1 | 1-0 | + - |
|
Smith is nursing a back injury, and it is unclear if he will face Pacers on Saturday. |
|||||
| Chris Livingston (SF) | Ques Thur | Illness - 10 / 03 / 25 | 0-1 | 1-0 | + - |
|
Livingston is ailing with an illness, and it is undermined if he will participate against the Lakers on Thursday. |
|||||
| Kyle Kuzma (PF) | Prob Sun | Ankle - 09 / 03 / 25 | 1-0 | 1-0 | + - |
|
Kuzma is managing an ankle injury, but he is projected to be active against the Cavaliers on Sunday. |
|||||
| Ryan Rollins (PG) | Ques Sun | Personal - 05 / 03 / 25 | 3-0 | 3-0 | + - |
|
Rollins is dealing with some personal reason, and it is unclear if he will be active against the Cavaliers on Sunday. |
|||||
| Gary Trent Jr. (SG) | Prob Sun | Knee - 05 / 03 / 25 | 3-0 | 3-0 | + - |
|
Trent Jr. is dealing with a right knee soreness, but he is projected to be active against the Cavaliers on Sunday. |
|||||
| Kyle Kuzma (PF) | Prob Wed | Ankle - 05 / 03 / 25 | 3-0 | 3-0 | + - |
|
Kuzma is nursing an ankle injury, but he is expected to suit up Wednesday versus the Mavericks. |
|||||
| Kyle Kuzma (PF) | Ques Tues | Ankle - 03 / 03 / 25 | 3-0 | 3-0 | + - |
|
Kuzma is bothered by an ankle injury, and it has yet to be determined if he will take part in Tuesday's clash against the Hawks. |
|||||
| Pete Nance (SF) | Ques Thur | Ankle - 28 / 02 / 25 | 4-0 | 3-2 | + - |
|
Nance is dealing with an ankle sprain, and it is unknown if he will be play against the Lakers on Thursday. |
|||||
| Gary Trent Jr. (SG) | Prob Tues | Knee - 24 / 02 / 25 | 5-0 | 4-2 | + - |
|
Trent Jr. is nursing with a knee injury, but he is likely to face the Rockets on Tuesday. |
|||||
| player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aaron Wiggins (SG) | Ques Sat | Illness - 14 / 03 / 25 | 2-1 | 1-2 | + - |
|
Wiggins is ailing with an illness, and it is up in the air if he will take the court against the Pistons on Saturday. |
|||||
| Alex Caruso (SG) | Ques Sat | Illness - 12 / 03 / 25 | 2-0 | 0-2 | + - |
|
Caruso is ailing with an illness, and it is unclear if he will play against the Piston on Saturday. |
|||||
| Luguentz Dort (SG) | Out Sun | Knee - 06 / 03 / 25 | 1-1 | 1-1 | + - |
|
Dort is tending to a knee injury, and he is unlikely to be available against the Nuggets on Sunday. |
|||||
| Isaiah Hartenstein (C) | Out Sun | Nose - 06 / 03 / 25 | 1-1 | 1-1 | + - |
|
Hartenstein is laid up with a nasal fracture, and he is unlikely to play against the Nuggets on Sunday. |
|||||
| Chet Holmgren (C) | Ques Sun | Leg - 05 / 03 / 25 | 1-1 | 1-1 | + - |
|
Holmgren is bothered by a right lower leg contusion, and it is unclear if he will be active against the Nuggets on Sunday. |
|||||
| Aaron Wiggins (SG) | Ques Wed | Thumb - 05 / 03 / 25 | 1-1 | 1-1 | + - |
|
Wiggins is hampered by a thumb injury, and it has yet to be established if he will take the court against the Grizzlies on Wednesday. |
|||||
| Alex Caruso (SG) | Ques Fri | Undisclosed - 04 / 03 / 25 | 2-1 | 2-1 | + - |
|
Caruso exited the match due to an undisclosed injury, and it is uncertain if he will play Friday versus the Trail Blazers. |
|||||
| Isaiah Joe (PG) | Ques Wed | Back - 03 / 03 / 25 | 2-1 | 2-1 | + - |
|
Joe is dealing with a back injury, and it is unclear if will be in Wednesday's lineup versus the Grizzlies. |
|||||
| Chet Holmgren (C) | Ques Mon | Ankle - 01 / 03 / 25 | 3-2 | 4-1 | + - |
|
Holmgren is dealing with an ankle sprain, and it is unknown if he will be available against the Rockets on Monday. |
|||||
| Ousmane Dieng (PF) | Ques Sun | Wrist - 28 / 02 / 25 | 3-2 | 4-1 | + - |
|
Dieng is nursing a wrist injury, and it is unclear if he will feature in the lineup against the Spurs on Sunday. |
|||||
-
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
time fav line total Opening 16 Dec 4:23am - - O +214.5 -110 Closing 18 Dec 3:43am - - O +195.5 -125 -
- Regular Season
Bucks Team Leaders
Points 30.53
Assists 7.2
Rebounds 12.13
FG% 100
Steals 1.29
Blocks 1.94
Points 32.77
Assists 6.22
Rebounds 11.11
FG% 57.3
Steals 1.78
Blocks 2.67
-
- Regular Season
Thunder Team Leaders
Points 30.53
Assists 7.2
Rebounds 12.13
FG% 100
Steals 1.29
Blocks 1.94
Points 32.77
Assists 6.22
Rebounds 11.11
FG% 57.3
Steals 1.78
Blocks 2.67
-
Injuries
Kevin Porter Jr. (SG)
Prob Sat Ankle - 14 / 03 / 25Tyler Smith (PF)
Ques Sat Back - 11 / 03 / 25Chris Livingston (SF)
Ques Thur Illness - 10 / 03 / 25Kyle Kuzma (PF)
Prob Sun Ankle - 09 / 03 / 25Ryan Rollins (PG)
Ques Sun Personal - 05 / 03 / 25Gary Trent Jr. (SG)
Prob Sun Knee - 05 / 03 / 25Kyle Kuzma (PF)
Prob Wed Ankle - 05 / 03 / 25Kyle Kuzma (PF)
Ques Tues Ankle - 03 / 03 / 25Pete Nance (SF)
Ques Thur Ankle - 28 / 02 / 25Gary Trent Jr. (SG)
Prob Tues Knee - 24 / 02 / 25Aaron Wiggins (SG)
Ques Sat Illness - 14 / 03 / 25Alex Caruso (SG)
Ques Sat Illness - 12 / 03 / 25Luguentz Dort (SG)
Out Sun Knee - 06 / 03 / 25Isaiah Hartenstein (C)
Out Sun Nose - 06 / 03 / 25Chet Holmgren (C)
Ques Sun Leg - 05 / 03 / 25Aaron Wiggins (SG)
Ques Wed Thumb - 05 / 03 / 25Alex Caruso (SG)
Ques Fri Undisclosed - 04 / 03 / 25Isaiah Joe (PG)
Ques Wed Back - 03 / 03 / 25Chet Holmgren (C)
Ques Mon Ankle - 01 / 03 / 25Ousmane Dieng (PF)
Ques Sun Wrist - 28 / 02 / 25Injuries
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Kevin Porter Jr. (SG) Prob Sat Ankle - 14 / 03 / 25 1-2 1-2 + - Porter is fighting off a left ankle sprain, but he is expected to suit up against the Pacers on Saturday.
Tyler Smith (PF) Ques Sat Back - 11 / 03 / 25 0-1 1-0 + - Smith is nursing a back injury, and it is unclear if he will face Pacers on Saturday.
Chris Livingston (SF) Ques Thur Illness - 10 / 03 / 25 0-1 1-0 + - Livingston is ailing with an illness, and it is undermined if he will participate against the Lakers on Thursday.
Kyle Kuzma (PF) Prob Sun Ankle - 09 / 03 / 25 1-0 1-0 + - Kuzma is managing an ankle injury, but he is projected to be active against the Cavaliers on Sunday.
Ryan Rollins (PG) Ques Sun Personal - 05 / 03 / 25 3-0 3-0 + - Rollins is dealing with some personal reason, and it is unclear if he will be active against the Cavaliers on Sunday.
Gary Trent Jr. (SG) Prob Sun Knee - 05 / 03 / 25 3-0 3-0 + - Trent Jr. is dealing with a right knee soreness, but he is projected to be active against the Cavaliers on Sunday.
Kyle Kuzma (PF) Prob Wed Ankle - 05 / 03 / 25 3-0 3-0 + - Kuzma is nursing an ankle injury, but he is expected to suit up Wednesday versus the Mavericks.
Kyle Kuzma (PF) Ques Tues Ankle - 03 / 03 / 25 3-0 3-0 + - Kuzma is bothered by an ankle injury, and it has yet to be determined if he will take part in Tuesday's clash against the Hawks.
Pete Nance (SF) Ques Thur Ankle - 28 / 02 / 25 4-0 3-2 + - Nance is dealing with an ankle sprain, and it is unknown if he will be play against the Lakers on Thursday.
Gary Trent Jr. (SG) Prob Tues Knee - 24 / 02 / 25 5-0 4-2 + - Trent Jr. is nursing with a knee injury, but he is likely to face the Rockets on Tuesday.
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Aaron Wiggins (SG) Ques Sat Illness - 14 / 03 / 25 2-1 1-2 + - Wiggins is ailing with an illness, and it is up in the air if he will take the court against the Pistons on Saturday.
Alex Caruso (SG) Ques Sat Illness - 12 / 03 / 25 2-0 0-2 + - Caruso is ailing with an illness, and it is unclear if he will play against the Piston on Saturday.
Luguentz Dort (SG) Out Sun Knee - 06 / 03 / 25 1-1 1-1 + - Dort is tending to a knee injury, and he is unlikely to be available against the Nuggets on Sunday.
Isaiah Hartenstein (C) Out Sun Nose - 06 / 03 / 25 1-1 1-1 + - Hartenstein is laid up with a nasal fracture, and he is unlikely to play against the Nuggets on Sunday.
Chet Holmgren (C) Ques Sun Leg - 05 / 03 / 25 1-1 1-1 + - Holmgren is bothered by a right lower leg contusion, and it is unclear if he will be active against the Nuggets on Sunday.
Aaron Wiggins (SG) Ques Wed Thumb - 05 / 03 / 25 1-1 1-1 + - Wiggins is hampered by a thumb injury, and it has yet to be established if he will take the court against the Grizzlies on Wednesday.
Alex Caruso (SG) Ques Fri Undisclosed - 04 / 03 / 25 2-1 2-1 + - Caruso exited the match due to an undisclosed injury, and it is uncertain if he will play Friday versus the Trail Blazers.
Isaiah Joe (PG) Ques Wed Back - 03 / 03 / 25 2-1 2-1 + - Joe is dealing with a back injury, and it is unclear if will be in Wednesday's lineup versus the Grizzlies.
Chet Holmgren (C) Ques Mon Ankle - 01 / 03 / 25 3-2 4-1 + - Holmgren is dealing with an ankle sprain, and it is unknown if he will be available against the Rockets on Monday.
Ousmane Dieng (PF) Ques Sun Wrist - 28 / 02 / 25 3-2 4-1 + - Dieng is nursing a wrist injury, and it is unclear if he will feature in the lineup against the Spurs on Sunday.