256 Team All Time Basketball Tournament: FINALS FOUR: 2018 WARRIORS v. 2020 BUCKS

 Final 4

2018 NBA CHAMP GST WARRIORS v. 2020 CEN DIV CHAMP MIL BUCKS 

Warriors: 58-24, 1st Pac Div, 3rd Off, 11th Def

                  d. Spurs West 1st Rnd 4-1

                  d. Pelicans West Semis 4-1

                  d. Rockets West Finals 4-3

                  d. Cavs NBA Finals 4-0

                  #37 overal seed

                  d. '87 Pistons (2-0, Curry/Durant PotG)

                  d. '96 Magic (2-1 Steph 1 PotG)

                  d. '07 Spurs (2-1 Steph/KD)

                  Regional Final: d. '12 Bulls (2-0 KD)

                  Sweet Sixteen: d. '15 Rockets (3-1, Steph 2/KD 1)

                  Elite 8: d. '20 Lakers (3-0 Durant-Series MVP)

                  Semis: d. '08 Celtics (4-1 Steph 3/McGee)

Coach: Steve Kerr

Starters

C JaVale McGee (30 Nevada)              4.8 PPG  22.3 PER  2.7 Win Shares  .5

F Draymond Green (27 Michigan St)  11            16.1           6               2.8

F Kevin Durant (29 Texas)                   26.4        26              10.4          5.5 VORP

G Steph Curry (29 Davidson)              26.4         28.2           9.1           4

G Klay Thompson (27 Washington St) 20          16              4              1

Rotation Reserves

C Zaza Pachulia (33)                            5.4          17              3.3             .5

F David West (37 Xavier)                    6.8          20.9           3.5              1.3

F Jordan Bell (23 Oregon)                   4.6          18              2.9               1

G Shawn Livingston (32)                     5.5          11.6           1.8              -.3

G Andre Iguodala (34 Arizona)           6              11.2           3.2              .7

Leaders: Curry: 1st FT%, 4th PER, 1st True Shooting, 5th Eff FG%, 2nd WS/48, 3rd +/- 3rd team All NBA

               Durant 5th Blocks/Gm, 1st Team All NBA

 KD and Steph are both 29, both 20+ PER (along with McGee and West) Durant's got double digit WS.  These are the back to back GSW Champs, the last title in tha run (as of early 2022); top 3 offense in 2018. Four All Stars - KD/Steph, 27 year old Draymond and Klay.  The Warriors broke the record for largest NBA Finals point differential. Durant was the MVP of the NBA Finals. Draymond was 2nd Team All Defense.

Bucks: 56-17, 1st Cen Div, 8th Off, 1st Def

             d. Magic East 1st Rnd 4-1

             Lost Heat East Semis 4-1

             #90 overall seed

             d. '02 Mavs (2-0 Middleton/Giannis PotG)

             d. '93 Bulls (2-1 Giannis)

             d. '85 Lakers (2-1 Giannis)

             Regional Final d. '77 Blazers (2-0 Giannis)

             Sweet 16: d. '13 Heat (3-2, Middleton/Giannis 2-Series MVP)

             Elite 8: d. '17 Spurs (3-1, Middleton /Giannis2-Series MVP)

             Semis: d. '11 Thunder (4-1 Giannis 4 PotG)

Coach: Mike Budenholzer, Asst Vin Baker

Starters

C Brook Lopez                     31-Stanford       12 PPG  15 PER 5.5 WS    1.9

F Giannis Antetokounmpo   25                      29.5        31.9      11.1         6.6 VORP

F Khris Middleton                28-Texas A&M 20.9       21.1      7.9            2.9

G Eric Bledsoe                    30-Kentucky     14.9          17.6       5.4         1.6

G Donte DiVincenzo            23-Villanova     9.2         14.1       4.3           1.3

Rotation Reserves

C Robin Lopez                     31-Stanford       5.4          10.2       1.5          -.2

F Ersan Ilyasova                  32                      6.6           14.9       3.6         .6

F Kyle Korver                     38-Creighton     16.6          11.3      2.5         .5

G George Hill                       33-IUPUI          9.4         16.9        5.5         1.6

G Pat Connaughton             27-NDame        5.4           11.5        3.4         .8

Leaders: Giannis 5th PPG, 4th Reb, 2nd Reb/Gm, 1st PER, 3rd WS, 1st WS/48, 1st +/- 2nd VORP, 1st Def Rtng, 4th Reb %, 1st Team All NBA

               BLopez 2nd Blocks, 2nd Blocks/Gm, 4th Def WS, 5th Def +/- 2nd Def Rtng, 3rd Block %

               Middleton 3rd FT%

               DiVincenzo  3rd Def Rtng

               Hill 1st 3 Pt %, 3rd Off Rtng

25 year old Giannis is top 3 in the Big 5 Cats, he's got the best PER in this series, 28 year old Middleton's over 20 PER also.  It's the Covid Bucks, they knocked off the '93 Bulls and '85 Lakers. Really shows the power of ultramodern basketball. Milwaukee's the best defensive team in 2020. Both Giannis and Middleton were named to the All Star team. Giannis won the MVP and the Defensive Player of the Year Award, 31 year old Brook Lopez/30 year old Eric Bledsoe both second team all defense.

There's nothing left.  

We started with the entire history of basketball, chose the best 256 teams ever, played it out and here we sit.  

Golden St. - the most recent dynasty - this is (to date) their last title team; Steph/Durant and the Warriors are 18-4 in the Tournament.  Steph and Durant each have 8 PotG awards.  The 2021 Bucks are the most recent NBA Champion as of this writing; this team isn't that team - it's the team before, the Covid Bucks.  The Bucks are 18-6 in the Tournament, 15 of those wins were led by PotG Giannis, who is very likely the Tournament MVP regardless of the Finals results.  

There's nothing left to do.  7 games for the chip.

Matchup:

C BLopez(Bucks)

F Giannis (Bucks)

F Durant (Warriors)

G Curry (Warriors)

G Thompson (Warriors)

Bench: Bucks

Let's go to Oakland.  Let's start the Finals.

Gm 1: Oakland Oracle: Marv Albert/Marty Glickman/Hubie Brown

1Qtr

9 Warriors 12 Bucks 10

Warriors Klay(1) Klay(3) KD, McGee, Dray, McGee

Bucks Giannis, Bledsoe(3) Middleton, Giannis(3)

The Finals opens with 5 from Giannis, 4 from Klay.

6 Warriors 17 Bucks 10

Warriors KD(1) Steph, McGee

Bucks 

Warriors keep the Bucks off the scoreboard over the last 3 minutes, JaVale McGee has 6 pts.

3 Warriors 27 Bucks 18

Warriors Steph(3) McGee, Steph(1) Dray, Dray

Bucks Middleton, Bledsoe(3) Bledsoe(3)

Back to back Bledsoe 3s but it's the biggest Warrior lead yet.

1Score Warriors 29 Bucks 23

Warriors West

Bucks Middleton(3) Giannis

7 each for Middleton/Giannis; Dubs have led since the tip.  

2Qtr

9 Warriors 40 Bucks 31

Warriors McGee(3) McGee(3) West, Dray(3)

Bucks Ilyasova, RLopez, Bledsoe, Giannis

Warriors work inside to McGee, drawing fouls for 3 point plays - and then outside with Draymond draining the triple.  JaVale has 14 points.  

6 Warriors 45 Bucks 33

Warriors Iguodala, Klay, West(1)

Bucks Giannis

Giannis with 11, but now a double digit Warriors lead.

3 Warriors 53 Bucks 47

Warriors West, KD, KD, Steph

Bucks Donte, Middleton(3) Middleton, Giannis, Middleton(3) Giannis 

Big 3 minutes for Middleton, 8 points; he and Giannis have 15 each.

HScore Warriors 63 Bucks 56

Warriors Steph(3) KD(3) Steph, Klay

Bucks BLopez, BLopez, Bledsoe, Connaughton(3)

13 for Curry; 10 for Durant. Golden St has led the whole way.

3Qtr

9 Warriors 67 Bucks 62

Warriors Steph, West

Bucks Bledsoe, Bledsoe, Ilyasova

17 for Eric Bledsoe, Bucks draw closer.

6 Warriors 73 Bucks 64

Warriors Klay, Steph(4)

Bucks Bledsoe

Steph with the 4 point play, he has 19.

3 Warriors 80 Bucks 73

Warriors KD, Klay(3) Dray

Bucks Donte, Hill(3) Giannis(1) Middleton(3)

Draymond picks up his 5th foul - we'll see how much of the story that becomes.

3Score Warriors 84 Bucks 79

Warriors Steph, KD

Bucks Donte(3) Middleton(3)

Middleton has 21 - we head to the 4th.

4Qtr

9 Warriors 90 Bucks 90

Warriors Zaza, Steph, Klay

Bucks RLopez, Giannis(3) Donte, BLopez, Giannis

Milwaukee catches up.  9 minutes left.

8:27: MIL: George Hill from the left wing gives the Bucks the lead.

8:07: MIL: Warriors miss - and Middleton buries a 3 -- the Bucks are up 5.

8:00: GSW: Klay finds some space and hits a midrange.  

7:15: GSW: Bucks miss - Curry hits a deep, deep 3 and we are tied at 95.

6:42: GSW: Bucks turnover leads to a Durant dunk.  

6:32: MIL: Giannis dunks the other way.  Tied.

6:22: GSW: Durant from 22 feet.  

5:49: MIL: Giannis baseline J.  99-99

5:04: GSW: Durant with a floater from the paint.  

4:44: GSW: Bucks miss and Klay hits from the top of the key.

4:34: GSW: Turnover leads to a Curry layup.  105-99

4:18: MIL: Giannis in heavy traffic.  

4:08: GSW: Klay hits a midrange J and it's a 6 point game.

3:28: MIL: Middleton follows his own miss with a bucket.  

2:49: MIL: Klay misses a 3 - Donte goes home with a dunk.  107-105

2:30: MIL: Steph misses a 3 and Brook Lopez hits a corner triple and the Bucks take the lead 108-107.

2:03: GSW: Klay Thompson corner 3.  Warriors by 2.

1:32: MIL: Bledsoe drives and scores.  Tied.  Tied.  Tied.  

1:22: GSW: Curry hits the contested triple from the wing.  Warriors by 3.

:45: GSW: Bledsoe misses the game tying 3 -- and Steph buries another triple, that should do it.  116-110

Curry hits 4 FT for the final score.

FScore: Warriors 120 Bucks 110

Warriors led the whole way - but Bucks were up 5 with 8 to go; tied with 90 seconds left and then it was all Steph - Curry scores the last 10 points of the game in 90 freaking seconds for the final margin.  10 points/90 seconds.  Ballgame

Steph: 38 points/11 rebounds/5 assists-Player of the Game

Klay: 24 pts/7 boards

KD: 20 pts/14 boards/8 assists

McGee: 14 pts/6 boards

Dray: 11 pts/7 boards/ 8 assists

Middleton: 26 pts/11 boards/5 assists

Giannis: 27 pts/16 boards/5 assists

Bledsoe: 21 pts/6 boards/5 assists

Donte: 11 pts/7 boards

Gm 2 Oakland Oracle: Marv Albert/Marty Glickman/Hubie Brown

1Qtr

9 Bucks 12 Warriors 6

Warriors Klay, KD, McGee

Bucks BLopez, Donte(3) Giannis, Giannis(3) Giannis

Giannis scores the last 7 points - Bucks look to tie this up.

6 Bucks 24 Warriors 16

Warriors KD, Steph, Zaza, Steph, Dray

Bucks Donte, BLopez, Giannis(3) Middleton(3) Bledsoe

Milwaukee has 4 triples in 6 minutes.

3 Bucks 31 Warriors 21

Warriors Zaza, Klay(3)

Bucks Giannis, Giannis, Giannis(3)

17 for Giannis in the 1st 9 minutes of the game.

1Score Bucks 39 Warriors 29

Warriors KD(3) Klay(3) West

Bucks Giannis, Giannis, Middleton, Middleton

21 1st qtr points for the Great Giannis.

2Qtr

9 Bucks 45 Warriors 33

Warriors Jones, West

Bucks RLopez, Bledsoe, Ilyasova

Today has been all Bucks, just pouring in pts

6 Bucks 52 Warriors 38

Warriors KD(3) Steph

Bucks Bledsoe, Ilyasova(3) Middleton

Bucks biggest lead.

3 Bucks 64 Warriors 47

Warriors McGee, Steph(3) KD, McGee

Bucks BLopez(3) Bledsoe, Middleton, Middleton, Middleton(3)

Middleton drops 7 in the last couple of minutes; the Bucks are rolling.

HScore Bucks 78 Warriors 52

Warriors KD(3) McGee

Bucks Bledsoe, Middleton(3) Middleton(3) Giannis, Giannis, Bledsoe

Middleton goes for 15 in the second, we will be heading to Milwaukee with this series al tied at 1

3Qtr

9 Bucks 88 Warriors 57

Warriors  McGee, KD(3)

Bucks Giannis(3) Bledsoe, Middleton, Giannis(3)

6 Bucks 96 Warriors 65

Warriors McGee, Dray(3) Steph(3)

Bucks BLopez, Connaughton, BLopez, Donte

3 Bucks 106 Warriors 67

Warriors Klay

Bucks Bledsoe, Giannis(3) Korver(1) Bledsoe, Korver

The Warriors just set the 3 qtr record for pts in the last round - broken here with still 3 minutes left in the qtr.

3Score Bucks 112 Warriors 77

Warriors Dray(3) KD, Steph(3) KD

Bucks Giannis, Giannis, Giannis

15 more for Giannis.

4Qtr

9 Bucks 118 Warriors 88

Warriors McGee, KD, Steph(3) Iguodala, McGee

Bucks BLopez(3) Giannis(3)

6 Bucks 127 Warriors 93

Warriors KD(3) KD

Bucks Middleton, Bledsoe, Giannis, Middleton(3)

3 Bucks 131 Warriors 93

Warriors

Bucks Giannis, Donte

FScore Bucks 137 Warriors 96

Warriors Cook(3)

Bucks Williams, Mason, Wilson

I mean, what can you say?  A thrashing.  We head to Wisconsin.  Giannis with the single best game of the entire tournament.  The Tournament MVP is done - no matter what happens the rest of the series, it's Giannis.

Giannis: 47 pts/21 boards/14 assists-Player of the Game

Middleton: 29 pts/8 boards/7 assists

BLopez: 14 pts/7 boards/10 blocks

Bledsoe: 20 pts/5 boards/5 assists

Steph: 18 pts/6 boards/5 assists

KD: 29 pts/8 boards

Klay: 10 pts/5 boards

JaVale: 16 pts/7 boards/5 blocks

Gm 3: Milwaukee: Fiserv: Mike Breen/Doug Collins/Dr Jack Ramsey

1Qtr

9 Bucks 10 Warriors 9

Bucks BLopez(3) Middleton, Bledsoe, Bledsoe, Giannis(1)

Warriors KD(3) Klay, Klay, Steph

Game 3 in Milwaukee is underway - Warriors trying to bounce back.

6 Bucks 19 Warriors 13

Bucks Bledsoe, Giannis, Giannis, BLopez(3)

Warriors Zaza, West

Brook Lopez has 2 triples.

3 Bucks 26 Warriors 20

Bucks BLopez(3) Middleton, BLopez

Warriors KD, KD, Steph(3)

9 for Lopez.

1Score Bucks 41 Warriors 34

Bucks Middleton, Middleton, RLopez(3) RLopez, Hill(3) Ilyasova(3)

Warriors Jones, Steph, West, KD, Steph, Livingston, Iguodala

Again - the Bucks just unstoppable - just pouring in points agains the Warriors.

2Qtr

9 Bucks 49 Warriors 38

Bucks RLopez, Donte, Giannis, BLopez

Warriors West, Klay

Double digit lead now - is Milwaukee about to sprint away?

6 Bucks 52 Warriors 52

Bucks BLopez(3)

Warriors Dray(3) Klay, Steph, Steph, KD(3) KD

The answer is no. Warriors make up that full deficit. 

3 Warriors 60 Bucks 55

Bucks Connaughton(3)

Warriors McGee, Steph, McGee, McGee

Golden St's first lead since the end of game 1.  

HScore Warriors 69 Bucks 65

Bucks Giannis(3) Giannis, Middleton, Bledsoe(3)

Warriors Steph(3) KD, Steph, McGee

JaVale with 8 in the last 6, Steph with 11 in the qtr.

3Qtr

9 Warriors 77 Bucks 72

Bucks Donte, BLopez, Bledsoe(3)

Warriors McGee, KD, KD, McGee

Durant has 20.

6 Warriors 83 Bucks 83

Bucks Giannis(3) Middleton, RLopez(3) Middleton(3)

Warriors KD, Iguodala, mcGee

3 Buck triples and we are tied.  We get a good one.

3 Warriors 91 Bucks 85

Bucks Giannis

Warriors West, Steph, McGee, KD

17 for Giannis.

3Score Warriors 99 Bucks 98

Bucks Middleton(3) Giannis, Middleton, Giannis, Giannis, Giannis

Warriors KD, KD(3) Steph(3)

Most combined pts through three qtrs in the tournament.  Giannis has 25; Durant 13 just in the 3rd.  12 minutes left.

4Qtr

11:41: MIL: Donte slices his way to the goal.

11:31: GSW: Klay corner 3.  

11:19: MIL: Giannis dunk.

10:57: GSW: Klay 15 footer.

10:19: MIL: Middleton corner 3 and the Bucks take the lead.

9:45: GSW: McGee dunks on the Klay lob.

9:23: GSW: West banks one home.  108-105

9:01: GSW: West 5 footer.

8:38: GSW: JaVale finger roll, Warriors rip off 8 straight.

8:16: GSW: Durant hits a 3 from the top and the Warriors lead by 10.

7:36: MIL: Bledsoe 14 footer.

7:03: GSW; David West hits a 3 from the wing - he's got 7 in the quarter.  

6:51: MIL: Bledsoe triple from the top.

6:12: MIL: Middleton triple from the corner.  118-113

5:25: GSW: Steph scoops and scores.

4:58: GSW: Steph floats one home from the paint. 9 pt game

3:39: GSW: Zaza down low.

3:31: MIL: Brook Lope triples from the wing.

3:20: GSW: Zaza scores up close.  10 point game.  3 minutes left.

90 seconds Warriors 128 Bucks 126

Bucks Bledsoe, Bledsoe(3) Middleton(3) Giannis

Warriors KD

The Bucks make up 8 pts in less than 2 minutes.  Warriors call time, can they stop the bleeding?

:39: MIL: A minute later, Giannis drops home a shot in the lane -- and we are tied.

:25: GSW: Durant - strokes home a 20 footer and the Dubs regain the lead.

It's Giannis - Giannis as the clock ticks down - Giannis with the stepback 3 to take the lead...

......

....the ball rims out.  Steph gets the rebound, fouled with a couple seconds left, hits 1 and that's the final.

Final: Warriors 131 Bucks 128

Giannis had a good look to win this one - but couldn't convert and the Warriors regain command of the series, 2 games to 1.

KD: 36 pts/11 assists/8 boards-Player of the Game

Steph: 30 pts/10 assists

Klay: 13 pts/7 assists

JaVale: 20 pts/16 boards

West: 15 pts/6 boards

Middleton: 29 pts/11 boards/8 assists

Giannis: 31 pts/17 boards/7 assists

BLopez 21 pts

Bledsoe: 22 pts/6 boards/5 assists

RLopez: 10 pts

Gm 4: Milwaukee: Fiserv: Mike Breen/Doug Collins/Dr Jack Ramsey

1Qtr

9 Bucks 10 Wariors 4

Bucks Middleton(3) Giannis(3) Bledsoe, Middleton

Warriors McGee,McGee

Game 4 - Bucks look to tie this up.

6 Bucks 16 Warriors 10

Bucks Donte, Bledsoe, Middleton

Warriors Dray, KD, Steph

Middleton with 7.

3 Bucks 25 Warriors 15

Bucks Middleton, Bledsoe(3) Bledsoe, Giannis

Warriors Klay, KD(3)

Bucks out fast today.

1Score Bucks 36 Warriors 19

Bucks BLopez, Hill, BLopez(3) BLopez(3)

Warriors KD, Bell

Looks a lot like game 2 - Golden St has won close games, the Bucks already have one blowout and are looking at a second.

2Qtr

9 Bucks 42 Warriors 24

Bucks RLopez, Ilyasova, Hill

Warriors Steph, KD(3)

6 Bucks 47 Warriors 30

Bucks Middleton(3) BLopez

Warriors Steph, KD, McGee

3 Bucks 58 Warriors 36

Bucks Giannis, BLopez, Giannis, BLopez(3) RLopez

Warriors Bell, Zaza, KD

HScore Bucks 69 Warriors 40

Bucks Middleton(3) Hill (3 Hill(3) Giannis, Giannis

Warriors West, Dray

Game 4 is done - we will go back to the Bay all tied at 2.

3Qtr

9 Bucks 76 Warriors 47

Bucks Middleton(3) Bledsoe, Giannis

Warriors Klay(3) Zaza, West

6 Bucks 86 Warriors 53

Bucks Giannis, Hill, Middleton, Giannis, Middleton

Warriors Curry(3) Klay(3)

3 Bucks 93 Warriors 63

Bucks Middleton(3) Middleton, Giannis

Warriors Steph, McGee, KD, Klay, KD

3Score Bucks 104 Warriors 71

Bucks Hill(3) Giannis(3) Connaughton(3) Giannis

Warriors KD, Steph, KD, Steph

Again, Milwaukee's got a hundred before we hit the 4th.

4Qtr

9 Bucks 115 Warriors 78

Bucks Middleton, Ilyasova, Hill, Giannis, Hill(3)

Warriors McGee, Dray, Steph(3)

6 Bucks 123 Warriors 82

Bucks Korver(3) Bledsoe, Hill(3)

Warriors Zaza, Livingston

3 Bucks 132 Warriors 93

Bucks Bledsoe, Bledsoe, Bledsoe, Giannis, Brown(1)

Warriors Livingston, Durant(3) KD(3) Boucher(3)

FScore Bucks 139 Warriors 96

Bucks Williams, Wilson(3) Mason

Warriors Cook(3)

The Bucks don't play around - when they come for a whipping, they lay it down.

2 games to 2.

Giannis: 30 pts/18 boards/8 assists-Player of the Game

Middleton: 29 pts/9 assists

BLopez: 10 pts/10 boards

Bledsoe: 19 pts/8 assists/5 boards/4 steals

Hill: 21 pts

RLopez: 10 pts

KD: 28 pts/5 boards/6 assists/5 steals

Klay: 10 pts

Steph: 18 pts/5 assists

McGee: 10 pts/8 boards

Gm 5: Oakland Oracle: Marv Albert/Marty Glickman/Hubie Brown

1Qtr

9 Warriors 10 Bucks 2

Warriors McGee, Steph(3) KD, Steph(3)

Bucks Giannis

Golden St has to shake off just a brutal whipping in game 4 - the series is deadlocked.

6 Warriors 16 Bucks 11

Warriors KD, Steph, KD

Bucks Giannis(3) Giannis(3) Middleton(3)

Bucks power some triples.

3 Warriors 33 Bucks 13

Warriors KD, Steph(3) Dray, Klay(3) McGee, KD, KD(3)

Bucks Giannis

Well - this is the inverse; Warriors come out just on fire here.

1Score Warriors 42 Bucks 20

Warriors Steph, McGee, Steph, Steph(3)

Bucks Hill(3) Hill, Ilyasova

18 for Curry in the first qtr.

2Qtr

9 Warriors 49 Bucks 24

Warriors Zaza, Livingston, West(3)

Bucks Giannis, RLopez

6 Warriors 51 Bucks 39

Warriors KD

Bucks Korver, Giannis(1) Middleton(3) Middleton, Giannis, Bledsoe, Middleton(3)

Big stretch for the Bucks - they pull within shouting distance.

3 Warriors 58 Bucks 41

Warriors Klay, Iguodala, Steph(3)

Bucks  Ilyasova

HScore Warriors 67 Bucks 48

Warriors Steph, Steph, KD(3) Steph

Bucks BLopez, Bledsoe, Hill(3)

27 first half points for Curry.

3Qtr

9 Warriors 81 Bucks 54

Warriors KD, Dray(3) McGee, McGee, McGee, Klay(3)

Bucks BLopez, Giannis, Giannis

6 Warriors 85 Bucks 70

Warriors KD, West

Bucks Middleton, Ilyasova, Donte, RLopez, BLopez(3) Giannis, BLopez(3)

3 Warriors 94 Bucks 82

Warriors Steph(3) Zaza, Steph, McGee

Bucks Middleton, Middleton, Donte(1) Donte(3) Bledsoe, Giannis

3Score Warriors 102 Bucks 91

Warriors Klay(3) West, Dray(3)

Bucks Bledsoe, RLopez(3) RLopez, RLopez

Robin Lopez scores the last 7 points of the qtr and the Warriors lead is down to 11.

4Qtr

9 Warriors 116 Bucks 97

Warriors Steph(3) Klay, Klay, Dray(3) KD, KD

Bucks Hill, BLopez, Middleton

6 Warriors 124 Bucks 102

Warriors McGee, Dray(3) Steph(3) 

Bucks Middleton, Middleton(3)

Okay, this is done - we will go back to Milwaukee for game 6 - can the Bucks force game 7?

3 Warriors 133 Bucks 109

Warriors West, Steph, McGee, Steph(3)

Bucks Middleton, Middleton, Williams(3)

FScore Warriors 141 Bucks 118

Warriors Looney, Jones(1) Cook, Boucher(3)

Bucks Bender(3) Mason(3) Bender(3)

The Warriors 2 wins had been close, the Bucks 2 blowouts.  That ended here, Warriors control game 5 - we go back to Milwaukee for Game 6

Steph: 43 pts/10 assists/9 boards-Player of the Game

KD: 26 pts/10 boards/8 assists

Klay: 15 pts/7 assists/5 boards

Dray: 14 pts/10 assists/9 boards

McGee: 18 pts/11 boards

Middleton: 28 pts/6 boards/5 assists

Giannis: 23 pts/13 boards/5 assists

BLopez: 12 pts

Hill: 10 pts

RLopez: 11 pts

Gm 6: Milwaukee: Fiserv: Mike Breen/Doug Collins/Dr Jack Ramsey

1Qtr

9 Bucks 7 Warriors 4

Bucks BLopez, Giannis, BLopez(3)

Warriors McGee, Dray

We started with 256 teams - actually, we started with 32 more than that because we had play in games - if the Bucks win this one, it goes the full distance, game 7.  

6

Bucks BLopez

Warriors McGee, McGee, Klay, Klay

JaVale has 6.  Warriors try to win the tournament on the road.

3 Warriors 20 Bucks 14

Bucks Connaughton, BLopez(3)

Warriors Klay, Klay, West, KD(3)

Thompson has 8.  Warriors lead.

1Score Warriors 27 Bucks 18

Bucks Ilyasova, Middleton

Warriors Steph, KD, KD

Warriors come out strong defensively - they lead by 9.

2Qtr

9 Warriors 34 Bucks 22

Bucks Giannis, Bledsoe

Warriors Iguodala, West, Iguodala(1) KD

Double digit lead.  

6 Warriors 46 Bucks 26

Bucks Bledsoe, Donte

Warriors Steph(3) Iguodala(3) Dray, dray, Zaza

It ends that quickly - Warriors really sprinting out now- and now some excitement as it appears the great Tournament is nearing a close.

3 Warriors 52 Bucks 38

Bucks Giannis, RLopez(3) Donte, Hill(3) Hill

Warriors Klay(3) Iguodala(3)

HScore Warriors 58 Bucks 42

Bucks RLopez, Hill

Warriors Klay, Dray, Klay

Defense - this is a series where the Bucks have scored over a hundred in 3 quarters twice, but in game 6 just 42 at the half.  

3Qtr

9 Warriors 67 Bucks 47

Bucks Ilyasova, Korver(3)

Warriors Klay, KD(3) KD(1) Steph

6 Warriors 75 Bucks 59

Bucks Hill, Giannis, BLopez(3) Bledsoe, Connaughton(3)

Warriors Steph, KD(3) Klay(3)

3 Warriors 84 Bucks 66

Bucks Giannis, Giannis(3) Giannis

Warriors Steph(3) McGee, Dray, Steph

3Score Warriors 95 Bucks 71

Bucks Bledsoe, Korver(3)

Warriors Steph(3) Steph(1) Steph, Steph(3) Zaza

It's done - Steph scores 18 in the qtr - game 6 is a blowout - the party is underway back in the Bay - the 2018 Golden St Warriors are going to be crowned.

4Qtr

9 Warriors 104 Bucks 83

Bucks Giannis, Middleton, Connaughton, Bledsoe(3) Giannis

Warriors Iguodala(3) Steph, Steph, McGee

6 Warriors 112 Bucks 97

Bucks Middleton(3) Giannis, Middleton, Bledsoe(3) Giannis, Middleton

Warriors Steph(3) McGee, KD(3)

3 Warriors 120 Bucks 112

Bucks Middleton, Giannis, Middleton(3) BLopez(3) Donte, Giannis(3)

Warriors KD, KD, Klay, McGee

24 point Warrior lead headed into the 4th is now down to 8 -- Giannis has 13 in the qtr.  Can the Bucks pull off a nearly unbelievable comeback?

2:48: MIL: Bledsoe scores in traffic - it's a 6 point game.  

2:38: GSW: JaVale hits from 12.

1:31: GSW: Milwaukee missed a couple of triples, JaVale hits the fadeaway to make it a 10 pt game.

1:07: MIL: Donte triple from dead on.  

:59: GSW: Steph hits 2 FT

:50: MIL: Brook Lopez triples from the wing.  126-120

:13: MIL: Warrior turnover leads to a Giannis putback on a missed Bledsoe 3, but there are just 13 seconds left and it's a 4 point game.

Durant hits 2 FT.

And there's a steal.  Steph hits 2 FT and that's the final.  

Let the confetti rain down.

The 2018 Warriors -- Tournament Champions!!!!!

FScore: Warriors 130 Bucks 122

The 2017 Warriors were the top seed in the tournament.  They didn't win - but the team the following year, essentially the same squad - they did - the great Warriors have overcome all challenges.

30/12 gor Giannis in the loss; with 17 PotG awards he is Tournament MVP - the Finals MVP is Curry, he closed out with a monster triple double.

Steph: 35 pts/12 assists/10 boards-Player of the Game

KD: 26 pts/7 boards/6 assists/4 blocks

Dray: 13 pts/10 boards

Klay: 21 pts

McGee: 18 pts/10 boards/4 blocks

Iguodala: 12 pts

Next up.....a 256 team single elimination professional football tournament.

All Tournament Team 1st Team

C Duncan ('13 Spurs 7 PotG)

F Garnett ('08 Celtics 12 PotG)

F Giannis ('20 Bucks 17 PotG)-Tournament MVP

G Steph ('18 Warriors 11 PotG)-Finals MVP

G Harden ('15 Rockets 7 PotG)

All Tournament Team 2nd Team

C Shaq ('98 Lakers 7 PotG)

F Kawhi ('17 Spurs 8 PotG)

F Durant ('18 Warriors 9 PotG)

G Westbrook ('11 Thunder 6 PotG)

G Magic ('89 Lakers 6 PotG)

February, 2022 Athlete of the Month

 January

Aaron Donald.   Runners-up: Nathan Chen, Cooper Kupp, DeMar DeRozan

We can call February early; Donald's a first ballot Hall of Famer at the peak of his career who led a dominant pass rush to win the Super Bowl.  Kupp may have had a better game, but he's ineligible to win a second monthly award (why can he still be a runner-up?  Really just to memorialize what actually occurred over the course of that month)

2 months down.  10 to go.

January-Cooper Kupp

February-Aaron Donald

256 Team All Time Basketball Tournament: FINAL FOUR: 2020 BUCKS v. 2011 THUNDER

 Celtics v. Warriors

2020 CEN DIV CHAMP MIL BUCKS v. 2011 NW DIV CHAMP OKC THUNDER

Bucks: 56-17, 1st Cen Div, 8th Off, 1st Def

             d. Magic East 1st Rnd 4-1

             Lost Heat East Semis 4-1

             #90 overall seed

             d. '02 Mavs (2-0 Middleton/Giannis PotG)

             d. '93 Bulls (2-1 Giannis)

             d. '85 Lakers (2-1 Giannis)

             Regional Final d. '77 Blazers (2-0 Giannis)

             Sweet 16: d. '13 Heat (3-2, Middleton/Giannis 2-Series MVP)

             Elite 8: d. '17 Spurs (3-1, Middleton /Giannis2-Series MVP)

Coach: Mike Budenholzer, Asst Vin Baker

Starters

C Brook Lopez                     31-Stanford       12 PPG  15 PER 5.5 WS    1.9

F Giannis Antetokounmpo   25                      29.5        31.9      11.1         6.6 VORP

F Khris Middleton                28-Texas A&M 20.9       21.1      7.9            2.9

G Eric Bledsoe                    30-Kentucky     14.9          17.6       5.4         1.6

G Donte DiVincenzo            23-Villanova     9.2         14.1       4.3           1.3

Rotation Reserves

C Robin Lopez                     31-Stanford       5.4          10.2       1.5          -.2

F Ersan Ilyasova                  32                      6.6           14.9       3.6         .6

F Kyle Korver                     38-Creighton     16.6          11.3      2.5         .5

G George Hill                       33-IUPUI          9.4         16.9        5.5         1.6

G Pat Connaughton             27-NDame        5.4           11.5        3.4         .8

Leaders: Giannis 5th PPG, 4th Reb, 2nd Reb/Gm, 1st PER, 3rd WS, 1st WS/48, 1st +/- 2nd VORP, 1st Def Rtng, 4th Reb %, 1st Team All NBA

               BLopez 2nd Blocks, 2nd Blocks/Gm, 4th Def WS, 5th Def +/- 2nd Def Rtng, 3rd Block %

               Middleton 3rd FT%

               DiVincenzo  3rd Def Rtng

               Hill 1st 3 Pt %, 3rd Off Rtng

25 year old Giannis is top 3 in the Big 5 Cats, he's got the best PER in this series, 28 year old Middleton's over 20 PER also.  It's the Covid Bucks, they knocked off the '93 Bulls and '85 Lakers. Really shows the power of ultramodern basketball. Milwaukee's the best defensive team in 2020. Both Giannis and Middleton were named to the All Star team. Giannis won the MVP and the Defensive Player of the Year Award, 31 year old Brook Lopez/30 year old Eric Bledsoe both second team all defense.

Thunder: 55-27, 1st NW Div, 5th Off/15th Def

                  d. Nuggets West 1st Rnd 4-1

                  d. Grizzlies West Semis 4-3

                  Lost Mavs West Finals 4-1

                  #203 overall seed

                  d. '81 Celtics (2-1 Durant 1 PotG)

                  d. '11 '98 Jazz (2-1 Westbrook/Ibaka)

                  d. '80 Bucks (2-0 Westbrook)

                  Regional Final: d. '99 Spurs (2-1, Westbrook/Ibaka)

                  Sweet 16: d. '12 Heat (3-0, Westbrook/Durant)

                  Elite 8: d. '13 Spurs (3-2 KD2/Westbrook)

Coach Scott Brooks, Asst. Mo Cheeks

Starters

C Serge Ibaka                     21                     9.9             17.7           7.6    1.4

F Jeff Green                       24-Georgetown 15.2         12.9            3.3     .3

F Kevin Durant                  22-Texas          27.7           23.6          12       5.3 VORP

G Russell Westbrook         22-UCLA         21.9          23.6            9.4     4.4

G James Harden                21-Ariz St        12.2          16.4            7.1      2.2

Rotation Reserves

C Nazr Mohammed           33-Kentucky    6.9            16               1.2     0

F Nenad Krstic                  27                     7.6            12.5            2          -.2

F Thabo Sefolosha            26                      5.1           10.4            4.1     1.3

G Eric Maynor                  23-VCU            4.2           11.7            1.5      .1

G Daequan Cook               23-Ohio St        5.6           12.8            1.6      .5

Leaders Durant 1st PPG, 5th Off WS, 1st Team All NBA

               Westbrook 4th Assts, 3rd Steals, 4th Steals/Gm, 2nd Trip Doub, 2nd Team All NBA

               Ibaka 3rd Blocks/Gm, 2nd Block %

 Durant and Westbrook are both 22, with 20+ PER and Durant's got double digit WS. They both made the All Star team.  At #203, OKC is the lowest seed remaining and the only team to sweep in the Sweet 16.  7 years later, 2018 Durant is already in the Finals.

We are a best of 7 series away from the Finals.  Can you imagine?

Matchup

C Ibaka (OKC)

F Giannis (Bucks)

F KD(OKC)

G Westbrook (OKC)

G Harden (OKC)

Bench: Bucks

Gm 1: Milwaukee: Fiserv: Mike Breen/Jeff Van Gundy/Dr. Jack Ramsey

1Qtr Bucks 4 Thunder 2

Bucks Bledsoe, Middleton

Thunder Westbrook

6 Bucks 12 Thunder 10

Bucks BLopez, Giannis, Bledsoe, Hill

Thunder Westbrook, Westbrook, Westbrook, KD

Semi-final 2 - winner of this series to face the Warriors.

3 Bucks 24 Thunder 19

Bucks Giannis, Giannis, Giannis, Giannis, Bledsoe, Giannis

Thunder Krstic, Krstic(3) Krstic, sefolosha

1Score Bucks 26 Thunder 19

Bucks Donte

Thunder 

KD/Westbrook/Harden are all young, 22/22/21 -- Giannis is 25 and that might be the differebce here; he comes out with a dozen to open the series.

2Qtr

9 Bucks 28 Thunder 21

Bucks Brown

Thunder Krstic

6 Bucks 32 Thunder 31

Bucks BLopez, Giannis

Thunder KD, Westbrook, Krstic, KD, Krstic

Nenad Krstic has 13 points off the Thunder bench.

3 Bucks 42 Thunder 31

Bucks Donte(3) Bledsoe(3) Connaughton, Giannis

Thunder 

HScore Bucks 48 Thunder 38

Bucks Middleton, Middleton, RLopez

Thunder Green, KD, KD, Westbrook

Milwaukee had the top rated defense in 2020 - we see that here.  

3Qtr

9 Bucks 55 Thunder 46

Bucks Hill(1) Bledsoe(3) Hill(3)

Thunder Westbrook, Westbrook(3) KD

6 Bucks 66 Thunder 54

Bucks BLopez(3) Bledsoe, Bledsoe, Giannis, Giannis

Thunder KD(3) Westbrook(3) Harden

Eric Bledsoe with 14, Bucks solid lead.

3 Bucks 70 Thunder 63

Bucks BLopez, RLopez

Thunder  Harden, Harden, Green, Harden(3)

3Score Bucks 76 Thunder 71

Bucks Middleton, BLopez, Connaughton

Thunder Mohammed, Ibaka, Westbrook, Ibaka

Westbrook with 10 in the quarter.  

4Qtr

9 Bucks 84 Thunder 80

Bucks Middleton(3) Giannis(3) Giannis

Thunder Nazr, KD, harden(3) KD(3)

6 Bucks 94 Thunder 89

Bucks Giannis, Middleton, Middleton(3) Giannis(3)

Thunder KD, Maynor, Maynor(3) Maynor

5:29: OKC: Westbrook drives hard to the bucket.

4:32: OKC: Westbrook again, crashing the goal to cut it to a point.

4:14 MIL: Ilyasova drops a triple from the wing.  

3:47: MIL: Ilaysova again, bangs a midrange.  6 point game

3:05: OKC: Daequan Cook, corner 3.

2:41: MIL: Ilaysova again!  Another triple from the wing. 102-96

2:06: OKC: KD, ice cold. 

1:17: MIL: That might do it - George Hill turnaround 12 footer.  

:20: OKC: Westbrook putback on a missed Durant 3.

Giannis 2 FT, Westbrook again.  4 point game.  9 seconds.  Brook Lopez hits 2 more and that's the Final.

FScore: Bucks 108 Thunder 102

OKC cut it to a point...but couldn't get it over the hump and the Bucks take game 1.

Giannis: 32 pts/17 boards/5 assists-Player of the Game

BLopez: 13 pts

Bledsoe: 16 pts/5 boards

Middleton: 16 pts/5 assists

KD: 23 pts/9 boards/5 assists

Westbrook: 30 pts/8 assists/5 boards

Harden: 12 pts

Ibaka: 4 pts/19 boards

Krstic: 13 pts/9 boards

Gm 2: : Milwaukee: Fiserv: Mike Breen/Jeff Van Gundy/Dr. Jack Ramsey

1Qtr

9 Bucks 6 Thunder 6

Bucks Middleton, Bledsoe, Donte

Thunder KD, Westbrook, Westbrook

6 Bucks 10 Thunder 10

Bucks Giannis, BLopez

Thunder KD, Ibaka

Game 2 - OKC trying to square the series.

3 Thunder 18 Bucks 13

Bucks Middleton(3)

Thunder Ibaka, Krstic, Westbrook, Westbrook, Ibaka

1Score Thunder 23 Bucks 18

Bucks Ilyasova(3) Korver

Thunder Harden(3) Maynor

Westbrook with 8 to open game 2.

2Qtr

9 Thunder 29 Bucks 27

Bucks Hill, Donte(3) Giannis, Giannis

Thunder Nazr, Maynor, Nazr, Green(3)

6 Thunder 35 Bucks 29

Bucks Giannis

Thunder Ibaka, Nazr

Giannis won his 12th PotG in game one and has 6 in the last 6.

3 Thunder 42 Bucks 33

Bucks Bledsoe, Middleton

Thunder KD, Green, Green(3)

HScore

Bucks Middleton(3) Giannis(3) BLopez, Hill(3)

Thunder Krstic

Big close for the Bucks, 3 triples ties the score.

3Qtr

9 Thunder 52 Bucks 51

Bucks Middleton, Hill, Ilyasova(3)

Thunder Westbrook, Westbrook, Krstic, Westbrook

6 Thunder 55 Bucks 54

Bucks Korver(1) Bledsoe(3)

Thunder Cook(3)

Another half dozen for Westbrook, game 2 is tight.

3 Bucks 62 Thunder 57

Bucks Giannis, Bledsoe, Giannis(3) Giannis(1)

Thunder Ibaka 

3Score Thunder 72 Bucks 71

Bucks Middleton, Giannis(1) RLopez(1) Connaughton, BLopez(3)

Thunder KD(3) harden, Westbrook, KD, Harden, KD, Green

Giannis and Durant each with 7 in the last 6.  Lets go down the stretch.

4Qtr

9 Thunder 85 Bucks 82

Bucks Giannis, Hill(3) Donte(3) Connaughton(3)

Thunder KD(3) nazr, Cook, KD, Krstic, Nazr

6 Thunder 91 Bucks 83

Bucks BLopez(1)

Thunder Harden(3) Harden(3)

Harden hits back to back triples and extends it to 8.

3 Thunder 104 Bucks 92

Bucks Giannis, Bledsoe(3) Middleton, Hill

Thunder KD(3) Westbrook(3) KD, KD, KD(3)

FScore Thunder 113 Bucks 104

Bucks Bledsoe(3) BLopez(3) BLopez(3) Giannis(1) Middleton

Thunder Ibaka, KD, KD, KD(3)

OKC outscores the Bucks by 8 in the 4th and earn the split.  41 big 4th qtr points for the Thunder

KD: 35 pts/12 boards-Player of the Game

Westbrook: 17 pts/13 assists

Harden: 13 pts/10 boards/6 assists

Ibaka: 12 pts/13 boards

Mohammed: 10 pts

BLopez: 14 pts/6 boards/5 blocks

Middleton: 18 pts/11 boards/5 assists

Bledsoe: 14 pts/7 boards

Giannis: 23 pts/13 boards/7 assists

Hill: 12 pts

Gm 3: OKC: Chesapeake: Kevin Harlan/Doug Collins/Kevin Loughery

1Qtr

9 Bucks Bucks 10 Thunder 8

Thunder Westbrook, Westbrook, Harden, KD

Bucks Giannis, Bledsoe, Giannis(3) BLopez(3)

6 Thunder 17 Bucks 14

Thunder Westbrook, Green(3) Harden, Westbrook

Bucks Middleton, Middleton

Westbrook comes out with 8 to open game 3 - this series tied at 1.

3 Bucks 21 Thunder 19

Thunder Mullens

Bucks Giannis, Bledsoe, Middleton(3)

1Score Thunder 30 Bucks 29

Thunder KD, KD, Cook(3) Krstic, Westbrook

Bucks RLopez, RLopez, Giannis, Ilyasova

Giannis with 9 - we might have a good series here; tied at 1 and tight here in game 3.

2Qtr

9 Bucks 36 Thunder 34

Thunder KD, KD

Bucks Hill, Connaughton, Donte(3)

6 Thunder 44 Bucks 43

Thunder Krstic, KD(3) Kd(3) Ibaka

Bucks RLopez, Bledsoe, Korver(3)

Durant scores 10 to open the second, super tight game 3.

3 Bucks 52 Thunder 48

Thunder Krstic, Ibaka

Bucks BLopez(3) Giannis, Giannis, Giannis

HScore Bucks 60 Thunder 52

Thunder Ibaka, Westbrook

Bucks Hill, BLopez(3) Middleton(3)

3 Bucks triples gives Milwaukee its biggest lead of the day.

3Qtr

9 Bucks 73 Thunder 59

Thunder Harden(3) Westbrook, Sefolosha

Bucks Giannis, Donte, Giannis, RLopez, Giannis, Connaughton(3)

6 Bucks 81 Thunder 65

Thunder KD, KD, Ibaka

Bucks Hill(3) BLopez, Bledsoe(3)

3 more Milwaukee triples and now daylight - Bucks solid lead here in game 3.

3 Bucks 90 Thunder 71

Thunder Westbrook, KD, Krstic

Bucks Middleton(3) Hill, Giannis, Middleton

3Score Bucks 96 Thunder 79

Thunder Krstic, Ibaka, Harden, Harden

Bucks Hill, Giannis, Giannis

Giannis scores 10 in the third - Milwaukee will go up 2 games to 1.

4Qtr

9 Bucks 102 Thunder 88

Thunder KD, Harden(3) Krstic(1) Harden(3)

Bucks Giannis, Connaughton, Bledsoe

6 Bucks 110 Thunder 97

Thunder KD, Harden(3) Westbrook, Westbrook

Bucks Giannis(3) Middleton(3) Ilyasova

3 Bucks 118 Thunder 105

Thunder Krstic, KD, Krstic, Sefolosha

Bucks Middleton, Donte(3) Giannis(3)

FScore Bucks 126 Thunder 112

Thunder harden, Ivey(3) Harden

Bucks Brown, Mason(1) BLopez, Giannis(3)

Giannis just dominates in winning his 13th PotG in the tournament, passing '08 KG.

Giannis: 38 pts/13 boards/8 assists-Player of the Game

Middleton: 20 pts/6 boards

BLopez: 13 pts/5 boards/4 blocks

Bledsoe: 11 pts/10 assists/5 boards

Hill: 11 pts

KD: 28 pts/9 boards/8 assists

Westbrook: 20 pts/9 assists/7 boards

Harden: 24 pts/5 boards

Ibaka: 10 pts/10 boards

Krstic: 15 pts

Gm 4 OKC: Chesapeake: Kevin Harlan/Doug Collins/Kevin Loughery

1Qtr

9 Thunder 10 Bucks 5

Thunder KD(3) Ibaka, KD, Ibaka(3)

Bucks Giannis(3) Giannis

6 Thunder 17 Bucks 9

Thunder Harden, Westbrook, Westbrook, Green(1)

Bucks Bledsoe(1) Hill(3)

Bucks up 2-1; OKC trying to earn that split.

3 Thunder 27 Bucks 15

Thunder KD, Ibaka, KD, Ibaka, Westbrook

Bucks Middleton(3) Hill(3)

1Score Thunder 33 Bucks 22

Thunder Westbrook(3) Westbrook(3) Ilyasova(3)

Bucks Giannis, Giannis

This series might be destined for the full 7 - Westbrook has a dozen.

2Qtr

9 Thunder 35 Bucks 29

Thunder Krstic

Bucks Hill, Hill, Connaughton(3)

6 Thunder 42 Bucks 35

Thunder KD(3) Harden, Nazr

Bucks Giannis(3) Giannis(3)

Giannis has 15.  

3 Thunder 50 Bucks 44

Thunder Nazr, Harden, KD, Westbrook

Bucks Donte(3) Bledsoe, Giannis, Giannis

HScore Thunder 57 Bucks 55

Thunder Ibaka(1) Westbrook, KD, KD

Bucks  Giannis(3) Bledsoe, BLopez, Giannis, Hill

21 first half points for the great Giannis - he is marching toward Tournament MVP.

3Qtr

9 Thunder 68 Bucks 62

Thunder KD(3) Westbrook, Green, Krstic, Ibaka

Bucks Middleton(3) Middleton, Middleton

6 Thunder 72 Bucks 68

Thunder Harden, KD

Bucks Middleton, Giannis, RLopez

Middleton opens the half with 9.

3 Thunder 85 Bucks 82

Thunder Ibaka, KD, harden, Sefolosha, Westbrook, Harden(3)

Bucks Giannis, Middleton, Giannis, Bledsoe(1) Donte(3) Ilyasova, Middleton

3Score Thunder 93 Bucks 85

Thunder  Sefolosha, Krstic, Westbrook, Westbrook

Bucks Middleton, Hill(1)

Westbrook with 8 in the 3rd - OKC trying to tie this thing up.

4Qtr

9 Thunder 98 Bucks 92

Thunder Green, KD(3)

Bucks Giannis, BLopez, Donte(3)

6 Thunder 104 Bucks 96

Thunder Krstic, Ibaka, Ibaka

Bucks Bledsoe, Donte

6 minutes from now - we may be headed back to Wisconsin tied at 2.

3 Thunder 104 Bucks 103

Thunder 

Bucks Giannis, Middleton, Bledsoe(3)

2:19: MIL: Middleton hits a 13 footer - what a run, 9 straight Milwaukee points and the Bucks take the lead.

1:34: OKC: Harden - ice from 19.  Thunder by 1.

1:22: MIL: It's Donte from the top of the key - Bucks by 1.

:22: MIL: A minute later, Giannis hits 2 FT --- Bucks by 3.

Timeout, Thunder.  Last shot.

The ball works around -- to Jeff Green - he's got an open corner 3 ----

And he misses it.

The Thunder score just 2 points in the last 6 minutes of the game and now trail 3-1. Giannis is putting distance between himself and the field with yet another monster game.

FScore: Bucks 109 Thunder 106

Giannis: 36 pts/18 boards-Player of the Game

Middleton: 22 pts/6 boards

Bledsoe: 11 pts/7 assists

Donte: 13 pts

Hill: 13 pts

KD: 28 pts/8 boards

Westbrook: 24 pts/9 boards/8 assists/7 steals

Ibaka: 18 pts/13 boards

Harden: 15 pts

Green: 5 pts/10 boards

Gm 5 Milwaukee: Fiserv: Mike Breen/Jeff Van Gundy/Dr. Jack Ramsey

1Qtr

9 Bucks 8 Thunder 8

Bucks Giannis, Giannis, Giannis, Bledsoe

Thunder Green, Harden, KD, Green

6 Thunder 22 Bucks 18

Bucks Giannis, Giannis, Middleton, BLopez, Middleton

Thunder Green(3) Harden(3) Westbrook, Green, Ibaka, Westbrook

Stunning game 4 loss for OKC, they led the whole way, but scored only 2 points in the last 6 minutes and now are facing a 3-1 deficit.  

3 Thunder 27 Bucks 23

Bucks Lopez, Hill(3)

Thunder KD, KD(3)

1Score Bucks 37 Thunder 35

Bucks Giannis, Middleton, Bledsoe, Hill, BLopez(3) Ilyasova

Thunder Krstic, Krstic, Ibaka, harden

Giannis has a dozen as the Bucks look to close this out

2Qtr

9 Bucks 41 Thunder 41

Bucks Hill, RLopez

Thunder Maynor(3) Cook(3)

6 Bucks 47 Thunder 47

Bucks Ilyasova, Giannis, Middleton

Thunder krstic, Green, ibaka

Have we reached the Finals?  

3 Bucks 54 Thunder 53

Bucks Giannis, Middleton, Middleton(3)

Thunder Westbrook, Ibaka, ibaka

HScore Bucks 66 Thunder 61

Bucks Giannis(3) Giannis(1) BLopez, Giannis, Giannis, Giannis

Thunder KD(1) Harden(3) KD, Ibaka

26 for Giannis - he is peerless in the tournament.  

3Qtr

9 Thunder 72 Bucks 68

Bucks Connaughton

Thunder ibaka, Westbrook(3) KD(3) KD(3)

6 Thunder 85 Bucks 79

Bucks RLopez, Hill, Giannis, Giannis, Bledsoe

Thunder Harden, Krstic, KD, Harden, Harden(3) Harden

Harden with 9 pts in 3 minutes and OKC takes the lead.

3 Thunder 93 Bucks 81

Bucks Middleton

Thunder Krstic(1) Harden, KD, KD(3)

3Score Thunder 95 Bucks 89

Bucks BLopez, BLopez(3) RLopez(3)

Thunder Green

12 minutes left - can OKC send this series back home?

4Qtr

9 Thunder 104 Bucks 99

Bucks Middleton(3) Middleton, Middleton(3) RLopez

Thunder KD(3) KD, KD, Westbrook

6 Thunder 106 Bucks 103

Bucks Bledsoe, Middleton

Thunder Ibaka

5:33: MIL: Middleton buries a dead center triple.  Tied.  

5:03: MIL: Powerful Middleton dunk.  Bucks take the lead.

4:45: MIL: Connaughton FT

4:37: OKC: Jeff Green ties it with a triple from the wing.  109-109

3:51: OKC: Krstic goes off glass.  Thunder lead.

3:03: OKC: Ibaka down low.  113-109

2:52: MIL: Bledsoe FT

2:27: MIL: Giannis triples from the top and again it is tied.  

2:09: MIL: Bledsoe with the bucket in traffic - Bucks are 2 minutes from the finals.

2:02: OKC: Westbrook drives and ties the game.  

1:43: OKC: Westbrook again, scoring in traffic.  117-115 Thunder

1:30: MIL: Brook Lopez hits an 18 footer.  Tied.  

1:17: MIL: Brook Lopez dunk. Bucks up 2.  

:34: OKC: Durant 14 footer to tie it up.

:18: MIL: It's Giannis - it has to be Giannis - he weaves through traffic and it is a 2 point Buck lead.

No Thunder timeout - they whip it up court - down 2 - it's Durant - just clear out for Durant - Durant into the lane - step back -- GOOOOOD!!  GOOOOD!!!  KEVIN DURANT TIES THE SCORE WITH 4 SECONDS LEFT!!!

Bucks tineout.  121-121.

Ball thrown into Giannis, just inside the 3 point line - turnaround in traffic at the buzzer --

GOOOOOOOOOOOD!!!!  GOOOOOOOD!!!!!  GOOOOOOOD!!!!

Giannis puts the Bucks into the Finals with the bucket at the buzzer -- the fans mob the court -- complete pandemonium in Milwaukee as the Bucks beat the Thunder and they will move on to face the 2018 Warriors in the Tournament Finals!!!!!!

Final: Bucks 123 Thunder 121

34/13 for Durant in the loss.  Giannis has 15 PotG awards and he is very likely the Tournament MVP regardless of the result in the finals.  Look at this triple double with a buzzer beater - maybe the game of the tournament.

Giannis: 38 pts/14 boards/12 assists/buzzer beater-Player of the Game

Middleton: 30 pts

BLopez: 18 pts/6 boards/5 blocks

Bledsoe: 11 pts/9 assists/5 boards

RLopez: 10 pts

All Tournament Team 1st Team

C Duncan ('13 Spurs 7 PotG)

F Garnett ('08 Celtics 12 PotG)

F Giannis ('20 Bucks 15 PotG)

G Steph ('18 Warriors 8 PotG)

G Harden ('15 Rockets 7 PotG)

All Tournament Team 2nd Team

C Shaq ('98 Lakers 7 PotG)

F Kawhi ('17 Spurs 8 PotG)

F Durant ('18 Warriors 8 PotG)

G Westbrook ('11 Thunder 6 PotG)

G Kobe ('09 Lakers 6 PotG)/ G Magic ('89 Lakers 6 PotG)