How should you weigh Hawks vs. Bucks, Thunder vs. Rockets?

Present a prize, big or small, to some of the world’s most accomplished athletes and they will want to win it.

The NBA assumed this when it created the NBA Cup, and the event is now in its second year. Players want to win this event and it shows in the competitiveness of the games.

The NBA Cup semifinals take place on Saturday. The Atlanta Hawks play the Milwaukee Bucks (4:30 p.m. ET, TNT) and the Oklahoma City Thunder play the Houston Rockets (8:30 p.m. ET, ABC) at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

The winners will play in the final on Tuesday (8:30 p.m., ABC).

The East meets two teams that have begun to improve their season after difficult starts, and the West features two of the best teams in the league, both young and primed for lasting success.

Here’s what you need to know about the NBA Cup Semifinals:

What is at stake for Bucks, Hawks, Thunder, Rockets in the NBA Cup?

Atlanta Hawks

The Hawks reached the semifinals by winning Group C of the East with wins over Cleveland and Boston – the top two teams in the East – and then defeating New York in the quarterfinals. Their success in the cup game gave new impetus to a season that started 4-7. Since then, they are 10-5, including seven wins in their last eight games, and have moved to seventh place in the East, just 1½ games behind the fourth-place Knicks. This success coincides with Bogdan Bogdanovic’s return from injury. Eight players score at least 10 points per game, led by Trae Young (21 ppg, 12.2 assists per game), Jalen Johnson (19.8 ppg, 10.1 rebounds per game) and De’Andre Hunter (19.6 ppg ). Johnson is a rising star with rookie Zaccharie Risacher (11.2 ppg), and Dyson Daniels (13.5 ppg, 3.0 ppg) is delivering what the Hawks expected when they traded Dejounte Murray for him in the offseason.

Milwaukee Bucks

A month ago, the Bucks were 2-8. They are now 13-11 with nine wins in their last 11 games. The recent return of Khris Middleton has helped, and the combination of Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard is thriving. Antetokounmpo (32.7 ppg) and Lillard (25.8 ppg) are the highest scoring duo in the NBA. Lillard has found a good rhythm offensively and the Bucks are building more depth than Bobby Portis Jr. (13.2 ppg, 7.6 rpg) and Brook Lopez (11 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 2.1 bpg) with Gary Trent Jr. (9.3 ppg). AJ Green (8.0 ppg) and Taurean Prince (7.9 ppg).

Oklahoma City Thunder

Even with Chet Holmgren out due to injury, the Thunder are winning thanks to a strong and talented roster led by MVP candidate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (30.2 ppg, 6.3 apg, 5.4 rpg) and Jalen Williams (21.8 ppg, 6.1 rpg, 5.0). apg). Last season, the Thunder won 57 games and were perhaps a year ahead of schedule when they lost to Dallas in the West Semifinals. But there’s no doubt the Thunder have been on a roll and they’re looking to capitalize on those expectations this season. Playing in a big game is important for the Thunder, who are atop the West at 19-5. Isaiah Hartenstein, Lu Dort, Cason Wallace, Isaiah Joe, Aaron Wiggins, Alex Caruso and Ajay Mitchell complement a versatile rotation. The Thunder are No. 8 offensively, No. 1 defensively and No. 1 in net scoring with plus-12 points per 100 possessions.

Houston Rockets

Rockets general manager Rafael Stone deserves credit for putting together this roster – a mix of veterans and young players, and those young players (most of them 23 and under) are talented enough to make the 17-8 Rockets a contender close. Jalen Green (19.2 ppg, 1.2 rpg) is 22 years old, Alperen Sengun (18.8 ppg, 10.6 rpg, 5.3 apg) is 22, Jabari Smith (11.6 ppg, 6.8 rpg) is 21, Amen Thompson (11.8 ppg, 7.0 rpg, 1.1 spg) is 21 and Tari Eason (11.2 ppg, 6.5 rpg) is 23. Reed Sheppard, the No. 3 pick in the 2024 draft, is 20. The Rockets are No. 2 defensively and No. 15 offensively and No. 5 on the season Net valuation. Veterans Dillon Brooks, Fred VanVleet and Steven Adams are perfect for one of the most enviable rosters in the league.

How to watch the NBA Cup semifinals: Times, TV Info

Saturday December 14th

Atlanta Hawks vs. Milwaukee Bucks, 4:30 p.m. ET, TNT

Houston Rockets vs. Oklahoma City Thunder, 8:30 p.m. ET, ABC

NBA Cup Semifinal Odds, Moneyline, Over/Under

Odds courtesy of BetMGM:

Atlanta-Milwaukee

Spread: Dollar (-3.5)
Money line: Falcons (+140); Dollars (-165)
Over/Under: 228.5

Houston-Oklahoma City

Spread: Thunder (-5.5)
Money Line: Rockets (+185); Thunder (-225)
Over/under: 212.5

What is the financial prize pool for the NBA Cup?

Players from losing quarterfinal teams: $51,497

Players from losing semifinal teams: $102,994

Players on the losing team in the championship game: $205,988

Player on winning team in NBA Cup Championship Game: $514,970

The prize money increased because players and the league agreed to it in the 2023 collective bargaining agreement as long as basketball-related revenue grows.

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How should you weigh Hawks vs. Bucks, Thunder vs. Rockets?

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