It is a closing 4 that few individuals anticipated.
The 2024 NBA Cup semifinals function 4 groups vying for his or her first victory within the match based final 12 months. Los Angeles Lakersthe very first winners, didn’t qualify past the group stage.
As an alternative, the Milwaukee Bucks, Atlanta Hawks, Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder and Houston Rockets are nonetheless alive. Oklahoma Metropolis is at present first out of the West, with Houston tied for second place. Milwaukee has bounced again from a gradual begin to rank above sixth within the East, whereas Atlanta is simply assembly expectations because the final crew within the East above .500.
So which two groups ought to meet for {hardware}? Let’s rank the attainable NBA Cup closing matchups from least to most entertaining:
4. Atlanta Hawks vs. Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder
The least intriguing matchup is not the one between the 2 “worst” groups. As an alternative, it is the Cinderella of the group in opposition to an elite title contender that would end in a predictable final result.
Atlanta is an entertaining crew led by Trae Younger, Jalen Johnson and De’Andre Hunter, with head coach Quin Snyder having a comparatively deep roster to name upon. However Oklahoma Metropolis, led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren, would possibly show too tough.
The 2 groups met on October 27, leading to a 128-104 victory for Oklahoma Metropolis. The context of a rematch can be completely different within the Finals, however it could be a matchup that the Thunder would seemingly be simply favored to win.
3. Atlanta Hawks vs. Houston Rockets
Houston, like final season, is off to a constructive begin with Ime Udoka on the helm. However despite the fact that the youth crew could not keep that kind, there’s extra optimism this time round now that the gamers and training employees have had extra time to calm down.
Alperen Sengun, Jalen Inexperienced and Amen Thompson spotlight plenty of promising kids, with Fred VanVleet and Dillon Brooks offering scoring and veteran protection.
Provided that the Rockets are at the least one tier beneath the Thunder, this is able to seemingly make for a extra balanced matchup in opposition to Atlanta.
2. Milwaukee Bucks vs. Houston Rockets
Milwaukee claims a spot in every of the highest two rankings given its star high quality benefit over Atlanta. The Hawks can nonetheless play the function of spoiler given their file in opposition to good groups this 12 months, though the Bucks are led by Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard.
The Bucks would seemingly be favored on this matchup as properly, however some particular person battles can be intriguing: Sengun with Brook Lopez, Antetokounmpo being guarded by Tari Eason/Jabari Smith Jr., Lillard vs. Inexperienced and extra.
1. Milwaukee Bucks vs. Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder
That is arguably the primary battle among the many 4 choices. Oklahoma Metropolis was anticipated to develop and keep close to the highest of the contenders whereas Milwaukee clings to the Antetokounmpo period with an growing older core that enhances it.
Antetokounmpo, Gilgeous-Alexander, Lillard, Holmgren, Middleton, Williams are the perfect group of stars remaining, with the notable headline being a possible two-player battle atop the present MVP race.
The Emirates NBA Cup 2024, the league’s second annual competitors, is scheduled to start on Tuesday, November 12. That includes new colours and designs, GALvanize reporter Drew Jones ranks the perfect and worst courts on the Emirates NBA Cup.
