5 things OKC Thunder must do to beat Milwaukee Bucks in 2024 Emirates NBA Cup Final

The OKC Thunder are set to face the Milwaukee Bucks in the 2024 Emirates NBA Cup Final at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, on Tuesday night. The Thunder are favored to beat the Bucks and become the second-ever holder of the NBA Cup.

Despite the odds in their favor, the Thunder will still square off against a team boasting a two-time NBA MVP in Giannis Antetokounmpo. "The Greek Freak" is having a fantastic season and is currently contending against Nikola Jokic for this year's MVP honors.

The Bucks also have Damian Lillard, Brook Lopez, Khris Middleton and Bobby Portis. They have shaken off their rough start to the season, so what do the Thunder need to do to beat Milwaukee in the 2024 Emirates NBA Cup Final?

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5 keys to victory for the OKC Thunder to win the 2024 Emirates NBA Cup Final

#1 - Let Shai Gilgeos-Alexander cook

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the OKC Thunder. (Photo: IMAGN)

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has established himself as one of the best players in the world today. SGA has carried the OKC Thunder since last season, but they appear more potent at the moment despite not having Chet Holmgren in the middle.

Gilgeous-Alexander is averaging 30.3 points per game this season and has scored 30 or more points in his last four games. If SGA can maintain his production, the Thunder have the best chance to beat the Milwaukee Bucks and win the NBA Cup.

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#2 - Contain Giannis Antetokounmpo

Can the OKC Thunder contain Giannis Antetokounmpo? (Photo: IMAGN)

Just like SGA, Giannis Antetokounmpo has been carrying his team this season. "The Greek Freak" has brought the Bucks back from the depths of hell to just one win away from becoming the Emirates NBA Cup winners.

The Thunder have no answer for Antetokounmpo's presence down low, and there's not a player in the world who can stop him one-on-one. All the Thunder has to do is contain him and limit his production as much as possible.

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#3 - Knockdown 3-point shots

Isaiah Joe is one of the OKC Thunder's sharpshooters. (Photo: IMAGN)

The Thunder are ranked 14th in the NBA in 3-point shots made this season and are shooting at 46.5%. Isaiah Joe and Luguentz Dort are the team's best shooters from beyond the arc, so they have to step up to give Oklahoma City a chance.

Joe has had his ups and downs this season, but he usually plays better after a stinker. He missed all of his shots from 3 in their previous game, so he's due to have a hot hand in the NBA Cup Final. They made just 11 3s against Houston and will likely need more to be successful versus Milwaukee.

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#4 - Lock in defensively

The OKC Thunder have a bunch of great perimeter defenders. (Photo: IMAGN)

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has preached defense after the Thunder outlasted the Rockets in the semifinals. The Thunder are one of the best defensive teams in the NBA this season. They are full of versatile defenders who can switch at any position.

The only problem for Oklahoma City is the lack of size given the absence of Chet Holmgren. However, it is still an elite defensive team, leading the league in steals and blocks combined, as well as having more steals than turnovers.

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#5 - Jalen Williams takeover

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander can't do it all for the Thunder. Jalen Williams will need to step up like he has always done this season. Williams has turned into a legitimate second star alongside SGA.

"J-Dub" is averaging 21.7 points, 6.1 rebounds, 5.0 assists and 2.0 steals per game this season. He has to have a great outing to give Oklahoma City the best chance possible to beat the Bucks.