League\u2019s top scorer Giannis Antetokounmpo was once again the main source of points for his side as he scored 32 points, registered 14 rebounds and ended the game one assist shy of a triple double.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\"I think the conversation within the team is that nothing matters, only win. Stats don\u2019t matter; it doesn\u2019t add a win or a loss to our record. Nothing really matters. How many shots, if you go 0-15, if you go 15-15, it doesn\u2019t matter. The only thing that matters right here is to get a win, and that\u2019s the message within our team right now, and everybody's got to stay locked in,\u201d said Giannis in the postgame interview.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Giannis was supported by teammate Damian Lillard who scored 25 points. The Hawks had difficulty scoring against the Bucks, with only Trae Young having been efficient in shooting. The 26-year-old Guard scored 35 points whilst scoring an impressive 14-17 field goals at a 82.4 field goal percentage.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
With the win, the Bucks finally got over the semi-final hurdle after having failed to make the final in the first edition of the tournament with a loss against the Indiana Pacers in the semi-finals.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cI think we probably looked a little sharper this time around. Last time, we were ready, but this time we came into it remembering our last experience. We came correct,\u201d said Lillard.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The league has successfully increased viewership in the early parts of the season through the NBA Cup as players are given incentives to perform at a high level week in and week out. The tournament champions get 514,971 USD per player, and the runner-up receives 205,988 USD per player. Teams that lose in the semifinals get 102,994 USD per player, but Bucks head coach Doc Rivers remained adamant that the win meant more than money for his team.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cI think we probably looked a little sharper this time around. Last time, we were ready, but this time we came into it remembering our last experience. We came correct,\u201d said Lillard.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
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