NBA Cup: Thunder to face Bucks in championship game after big nights in Las Vegas

Thunder: 111

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: 32 points (8-21 FG), 8 rebounds, 6 assists

Isaiah Hartenstein: 21 points, 8 rebounds

Jalen Williams: 20 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists

Rockets: 96

Amen Thompson: 19 points, 7 rebounds

Jabari Smith Jr.: 14 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists

Dillon Brooks: 14 points, 5 rebounds

The Thunder are headed to the NBA Cup championship game. They’ll take on the Bucks on Tuesday night.

We had a brief "tussle" between Sengun and Wallace, who got into a brief shoving match, but it ended without much happening. Double technicals have been handed out after a review, and we carry on.

That’s a 10-3 run from the Thunder, and their lead is suddenly up to 13 at the midway point of the fourth quarter. They’re just six minutes away from securing a spot in the title game against the Bucks.

We talk a lot about Jabari Smith not filling those early expectations but man, that kid plays hard and goes after it on defense. I’m taking stock on anyone who’s selling.

If there is one critique of SGA, and there won’t be many, sometimes he’s looking for the foul more than the bucket,

The shooting hasn’t improved, with Houston at 34% and OKC at 41%. Super competitive game in terms of feel.

Both teams finally seem to have settled in. SGA is up to 24 points to lead the Thunder, and Amen Thompson has 15 for Houston off the bench. Alperen Sengun is still at just four points for the Rockets while shooting 2-of-10 from the field.

Steven Adams is headed to the locker room now after an awkward fall under the rim.

That's an 11-0 run for Oklahoma City over the last 90 seconds or so, and it looks like we finally have some movement. SGA, Dort and Williams all hit 3-pointers for the Thunder.

Hartenstein tipped in a bucket for the Thunder, and the third quarter is officially underway. We'll see if the offense picks up across the board here soon.

Amen Thompson leads all scorers with 13 points off the Rockets’ bench, and SGA has 12 points to lead the Thunder. He’s shot 3-of-12 from the field.

Both teams have combined for six 3-pointers, and neither team is shooting better than 33%. This is also the fewest points that the Thunder have put up in a half all season.

SGA is still struggling to get anything to fall. He just missed a layup, but drew a pretty weak foul to get to the line. He then split his free throws.

It’s a rough night for him. He’s just 1-of-9 from the field now with seven points.

Jalen Williams with the perfect finish:

J-Dub hits a jumper and falls after a contest. An animated Floyd Mayweather yells at a ref, “Call the foul!"

This IS Vegas after all...

Kenrich Williams leads all scorers with seven points off the Thunder's bench. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander went 1-of-8 from the field, too.

The game is not for the faint of heart. Competitive but not high on aesthetics.

Well, we’re off to a slow start. Both teams have shot a combined 3-of-17 and 2-of-8 from the field to start this one.

The Rockets lead 6-5 early.

The Rockets have won the tip, and we're off in Las Vegas. The Thunder have won eight of their last nine games heading into this one.

The winner will get the Bucks on Tuesday night with the NBA Cup on the line.

This is the perfect pre-game entertainment now that these two shows can crossover.

Rockets

• Dillon Brooks

• Jabari Smith Jr.

• Alperen Şengün

• Jalen Green

• Fred VanVleet

Thunder

• Lu Dort

• Jalen Williams

• Isaiah Hartenstein

• Cason Wallace

• Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

Oklahoma City and Houston will square off in the second semifinals game in about 90 minutes or so. The winner will take on the Bucks for the NBA Cup on Tuesday.

Bucks 110

Giannis Antetokounmpo: 32 points (10-15 FG), 14 rebounds, 9 assists

Damian Lillard: 25 points (5-14 3FG), 7 assists, 6 rebounds

Brook Lopez: 16 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist

Hawks 102

Trae Young: 35 points (9-18 FG), 10 assists, 7 rebounds

Jalen Johnson: 15 points, 10 rebounds, 4 assists

De’Andre Hunter: 15 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists

The Bucks are officially headed to the championship game on Tuesday, where they'll take on either the Thunder or the Rockets in Vegas.

If all else fails, ask Giannis to do every damn thing.

WHAT A BLOCK FROM GIANNIS AT THE RIM

The Bucks finally have a little bit of separation here. They're up 103-97 now with 3:01 left in the game.

If all else fails, give it to Giannis...

We've got a close one here down the stretch. The Bucks are up by one now at the midway point of the fourth quarter.

This foul merchant stuff has to stop. It’s one of the things that makes a game ugly. Nobody wants to see this.

This is about as competitive a game as the NBA could’ve hoped for. A one-point game to start the fourth.

Trae Young went off in the third quarter, and helped the Hawks take their first lead since the opening sequence of the second period. He’s up to 26 points, 10 assists and seven rebounds now.

We’re in for a good finish here in Vegas. End of 3: Hawks 83, Bucks 82

It’s amazing, Trae Young has had a horrible shooting season, the worst of his career, but is torching everything tonight. He's 7-of-12, 3-of-4 from 3. 26-8-7 now in the third quarter trying to keep the Hawks in it.

Clint Capela just completely stuffed Giannis and then finished at the other end. The Hawks, though, still trail 70-64 midway through the third quarter.

In attendance: Not particularly long or imposing but he packs a punch: Floyd Mayweather

You can see why the Hawks are competitive, particularly on defense. They’re not intimidating or imposing, but their wings are long and aggressive. They cover a lot of space and shut off passing lanes.

Now that he's 30, Giannis Antetokounmpo is eyeing another MVP award. He's dominating like never before, and is leading the charge tonight in Las Vegas.

Click the photo for more on Giannis' latest MVP push from Vincent Goodwill earlier this month.

Giannis leads all scorers with 14 points, eight rebounds and five assists at the midway point. Damian Lillard is the only other Bucks player in double figures with 10 points, though he’s shot just 3-of-13 from the field.

Trae Young leads the Hawks with 12 points, seven rebounds and seven assists.

This feels like a pro-Hawks crowd. Then you remember, the Falcons are playing the Raiders in Vegas this weekend. There was a lot of Falcons gear on folks walking around the city last night and today.

And right on time, here comes Dame. That's back-to-back 3-pointers from him now, including this one from deep.

I wonder if the lighting at T-Mobile Arena is messing with the shooting. Dame Lillard is 2-for-9 from the field and 1-for-6 from the 3-point line so far.

Not sure if it’s playing on TV, but the atmosphere is picking up some and the building has filled. It was just a slow arriving crowd.

AJ Green’s nickname, according to basketball reference, is Dairy Bird … I have thoughts. But he can play.

He just powered the Bucks on a 10-0 run to start the second quarter with back-to-back 3s. The Bucks are up 36-28 now.

The Hawks rallied back to take a slight lead after the first quarter. Trae Young leads the way with 10 points and five assists, though seven of his points have come from the free throw line. Giannis Antetokounmpo leads the Bucks with seven points, six rebounds and four assists.

The Hawks have fought back to take a 18-12 lead after their slow start. Half of their points have come from Trae Young.

Not sure if he’s known more as a podcaster or rapper, but Cam’ron just arrived sitting courtside across from the benches.

The Bucks came to play. They opened the game on a quick 7-0 burst, and the Hawks have to call a timeout after a huge Giannis layup.