Milwaukee Bucks vs Oklahoma City Thunder Prediction, Odds and NBA Cup Final Picks for Today, 12/17/24

The stage is set for the NBA Cup Final as the Milwaukee Bucks take on the Oklahoma City Thunder in a battle of star power and elite defense. The Bucks have found their rhythm after a slow start. Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard are thriving, averaging 32.7 and 25.7 points per game, respectively. Milwaukee’s offense has surged to 7th in field goal percentage (48.4%) and 3rd in three-point efficiency. Bobby Portis’ return to the lineup has bolstered rebounding and scoring, and in NBA Cup play, they’ve dominated with a +11.6 point differential. However, Milwaukee’s path has been soft, with wins against the struggling Magic and lowly Hawks in their “playoff” games, raising questions about their readiness for this stage.

The Thunder, meanwhile, are among the Western Conference’s elite, despite missing Chet Holmgren for much of the season. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (30.3 ppg) and Jalen Williams (21.7 ppg) anchor a solid offense, but defense has been OKC’s hallmark. They boast the league’s top defensive rating, force the most turnovers, and rarely make mistakes. In NBA Cup play, their defense has been stifling, holding opponents to just 97.6 points per game—this while surviving a much tougher path through the Mavericks and Rockets.

Milwaukee’s efficient offense faces its toughest test yet against OKC’s relentless defense. With the total set at 216, officiating might favor a higher-scoring showcase, but the Thunder’s defense will remain a factor. I like the Thunder’s team total to eclipse 110.5, whether in a close contest or a blowout win. I dislike both sides of the spread and I am being cautious of playing the game over due to OKC’s defense. Fireworks are expected for what promises to be an electric final.

Bucks vs Thunder prediction: Thunder Team Total Over 110.5 (-108) available at time of publishing. Playable to 112.5.

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