THE Milwaukee Bucks“The journey to Las Vegas could not have gone higher, with an NBA Cup championship banner to holdfurther trip cash in gamers’ pockets and loads of team-building alternatives in Sin Metropolis. However the schedule across the Cup compelled the coach Doc Rivers feeling extra Festivus than festive.
“I will be sincere, I don’t know if we’re recovered but,” Rivers mentioned Saturday earlier than the crew’s recreation towards the Washington Wizards. “It simply takes loads.” I simply assume after the Cup the primary recreation ought to in all probability be on Sunday. You understand, that might be nice for everybody.
As an alternative, the Bucks performed in Cleveland on Friday, getting blown out 124-101 by the Cavaliersone of the best crew within the NBA that did not play in Las Vegas. They performed with out star guard Damian Lillard, who was nursing an harm he suffered to earn Cup all-tournament honors, then returned dwelling for a back-to-back towards the Wizards.
MVP candidate Giannis Antetokounmpo, who was named Cup MVP, joined Lillard on the injured listingsitting out of the sport. The absence of the 2 superstars is a reminder that, regardless of the additional cash and the ties that unite the groups competing within the last 4 of the Cup in Las Vegas, the journey has dangerous penalties.
“You understand, final yr the Lakers struggled,” Rivers mentioned. “Indiana had a troublesome time getting out of there. Does it simply take loads.
Rivers did not wait to air his grievances. Because the gamers revealed on the Cup awards ceremony, Rivers was on the litigating aspect with the NBA commissioner. Adam Silver.
“That’s precisely what I used to be speaking to him about, you recognize,” Rivers mentioned Saturday. “He requested me what modifications [he] ought to do.
The NBA Cup had its first version final season after Silver applied it to generate curiosity and provides gamers extra incentive to compete in the beginning of the common season – gamers on the successful crew earn $515,000 further.
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Of their first yr, the Los Angeles Lakers beat the Indiana Pacers within the Cup finals, giving each groups big-game expertise adopted, as is the case with many journeys to Vegas, by a brawl of extended wooden. After Vegas, the Lakers limped to a 1-4 rating. The Pacers went 1-3.
The Bucks’ victory in Las Vegas capped a serious turnaround of their season. After beginning 2-8, the crew improved to 13-4. That features a 112-101 loss to the Wizards on Saturday evening. Veterans Bobby Portis and Khris Middleton stepped into the beginning roles, totaling 52 factors. Each reached their season highs, filling the void left by the absence of their celebrity teammates.
Subsequent cease: the Bulls on Monday in Chicago. The Bucks usually are not enjoying on Christmas Day this yr, giving the crew some much-needed relaxation earlier than internet hosting the Nets on December 26. Lillard and Antetokounmpo are day after day and will return quickly.
