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Nightly Pulse: NBA news & highlights from Dec. 14

Stay in the know on today's NBA action with the latest news, scores and highlights from around the league.

NBA.com Staff

⭐🏆Emirates NBA Cup Semi-Final Schedule🏆⭐

 

Bucks 110, Hawks 102 (Final)

Thunder 111, Rockets 96 (Final)

🎉NBA Cup Championship Matchup Set🎉  OKC vs. MIL   ⚡ vs. 🦌

The Oklahoma City Thunder will face the Milwaukee Bucks in the NBA Cup Championship on Tuesday at 830ET.

Tune in on ABC

Top Storylines 👉📝

1. Milwaukee defeats Atlanta in the East Final, 110-102. The Bucks pulled out a narrow win over the Hawks to advance to the NBA Cup Championship. Milwaukee is now 6-0 in the NBA Cup this season.
2. Oklahoma City defeats Houston in the West Final, 111-96. Oklahoma City outscored Houston, 70-54, in the second half to advance to the NBA Cup Championship.
3. Milwaukee and Oklahoma City will play in the NBA Cup Championship on Tuesday. The Bucks come into this matchup winning 12 of their last 15 outings, while the Thunder lead the Western Conference with a 20-5 record.

🌟🌟 Top Performers 🌟🌟

1. Giannis Antetokounmpo led the Bucks with 32 points, 14 rebounds, nine assists and four blocks on 10-of-15 shooting.

2. Trae Young led the Hawks with 35 points, seven rebounds and 10 assists.

3. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Thunder with 32 points, eight rebounds, six assists and five steals.

⚡📢Thunder Advance to NBA Cup Championship📢⚡

Oklahoma City has been the best team in the Western Conference all season, and they’ll represent the West in the NBA Cup Championship. They’ll face the Milwaukee Bucks in that game on Tuesday at 830ET.

🚨Final Alert🚨 Thunder Defeat Rockets, 111-96.

OKC Advances to NBA Cup Championship °🥂⋆.ೃ🍾࿔*:･

Oklahoma City rode a 70-54 second half to take command in this semi-final win over Houston.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led OKC with 32 points, eight rebounds, six assists and five steals.

The Thunder will face the Milwaukee Bucks on Tuesday in the NBA Cup Championship.

Isaiah Hartenstein Career-High 21 Points ❤️❤️❤️

The big man is up to 21 points, eight rebounds and two assists.

Heading to the Fourth Quarter. Thunder Lead Rockets, 75-69⚡⚡⚡

Oklahoma City looks to close out Houston to advance to the NBA Cup Championship.

The Thunder ripped off an 11-0 run in that frame.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander leads OKC with 24 points, six rebounds, four assists and five steals.

Cookies and Jam for Jalen Williams 🍪🍪

Williams has a beautiful swipe and steal. OKC rips off an 11-0 run to take the third-quarter lead.

Halftime in Vegas. Rockets Lead Thunder, 42-41. 🏆

Amen Thompson leads Houston with 13 points and six rebounds off their bench.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander leads OKC with 12 points, five rebounds, two assists and four steals.

Both teams are shooting below 35 percent from the field.

Hartenstein Monster Slam ❤️💥

It’s Isaiah Hartenstein’s second bucket. We’re tied in the second quarter.

First Quarter is Complete in Vegas. Rockets Lead Thunder, 20-18. 🚀

It’s a defensive struggle between the two best defenses in the NBA.

Houston is shooting 6-of-24, while OKC is 7-of-23 from the field.

We’re Underway in Vegas 🂡

Rockets vs. Thunder (ABC, 830ET)

Alperen Sengun drains the first bucket. Winner plays Milwaukee in the NBA Cup Championship

Thunder Starting Five ⚡⚡⚡⚡⚡

Oklahoma City’s starting unit in their matchup with Houston. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams look to add to their All-Star resumes’.

Tip in 15 Minutes. OKC vs. HOU ⚡ vs. 🚀

The Rockets and Thunder battle to see who faces the Milwaukee Bucks in the NBA Cup Championship

Rockets vs. Thunder (ABC, 830ET)

OKC Drip 💦⚡

The Thunder always show up in style and you knew they’d show out in Vegas. They’ll face Houston in the NBA Cup Semis at 830ET on ABC.

Rockets vs. Thunder (ABC, 830ET)

Bucks Reach NBA Cup Championship 🎉🥳🎊🎁

Milwaukee pulled out a 110-102 win over Atlanta to advance to the NBA Cup Championship. That game will take place on Tuesday at 830ET. They will face the winner of the Thunder-Rockets matchup. Rockets vs. Thunder (ABC, 830ET)

🚨Final Alert🚨Bucks Defeat Hawks, 110-102. Milwaukee Advances to NBA Cup Championship 🎉

Milwaukee will face the winner of the Oklahoma City-Houston matchup in the NBA Cup Championship.

Giannis Antetokounmpo led the Bucks with 32 points, 14 rebounds, nine assists and four blocks.

Damian Lillard had 25 points, six rebounds, seven assists and three steals.

Trae Young led the Hawks with 35 points, seven rebounds and 10 assists.

Beautiful Block by Giannis 🚫

Antetokounmpo picks up his fourth block of the game with this massive stuff. Less than 90 seconds remaining in Vegas…..

Jalen Johnson Jam. Check out the 💥💥💥Dunk Score 

Johnson is the early leader for Dunk Score on this short slate. See the slam here!

Headed to the Fourth Quarter in Vegas. Hawks Lead Bucks, 83-82  🏆🏆

Bucks vs. Hawks (TNT, Live)

Trae Young had 14 points in the third quarter and now has 26 points, seven rebounds and nine assists.

Giannis Antetokounmpo leads Milwaukee with 22 points, nine rebounds, six assists and three blocks.

Trae Young is Cooking. 👨‍🍳👨‍🍳👨‍🍳

Young is 6-of-7 from the field and is up to 14 points in the third quarter.

SGA Walks the Red Carpet 🤩📸

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander strolls the red carpet with a fluffy jacket and white boots. He’s ready for Houston.

Rockets vs. Thunder (ABC, 830 ET)

Second Half Underway in Vegas. Bucks Up on Hawks. 🎲🎰

Clint Capela records his fourth block of the night early in the third quarter.

Halftime in Vegas. Bucks Lead Hawks, 55-49 🎰🎰

Giannis Antetokounmpo leads Milwaukee with 14 points, eight rebounds and five assists.

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

Fear the Deer🦌🦌🦌

After trailing 28-26 at the end of the first quarter, Milwaukee responds with a 12-0 to kickstart the second quarter. A.J. Green and Damian Lillard scored the first 10 points.

First Quarter in the Books. Hawks Lead Bucks, 28-26 📖

After Milwaukee started the game with a 7-0 run, Atlanta responded with a 28-19 spurt to take the lead after the opening frame.

Trae Young leads Atlanta with 10 points, three rebounds and five assists.

Giannis Antetokounmpo leads Milwaukee with seven points, six rebounds, four assists and two blocks.

Hawks Flying 🪽

Ball never touches the floor in this beautiful transition by Atlanta.

Underway in Vegas🎲

Bucks vs. Hawks (TNT, 430 ET)

Atlanta and Milwaukee are officially in action. Milwaukee holds Atlanta scoreless through the opening three minutes.

HOU vs. OKC Notes📝

Some notes for the upcoming matchup between Houston and OKC. These young teams are the two best defenses in the NBA.

Hawks Starters 𓅃

Bucks vs. Hawks (TNT, 430 ET)

Tip-off is only 10 minutes away!

Bucks Starting Lineup 🦌🦌🦌🦌🦌

Bucks vs. Hawks (TNT, 430 ET)

Tip-off is only 15 minutes away!

ATL vs. MIL Semi Starting Soon

Both clubs are rolling heading into this matchup…

Get to Know Alperen Sengun 🏔️☪︎

The Turkish center is a blossoming star, and this is a showcase game for the big man.

Bucks are in the Building 🦌🦌🦌

Milwaukee is less than an hour away from their semi-final matchup with Atlanta

📝 Tonight’s Top Storylines 📝

  1. Thunder and Rockets battle in the West. These talented young teams look like a threat for years to come, and a trip to the NBA Cup Championship could be the kickstart they need to prove they’re here to stay.
  2. Bucks and Hawks battle in the East. Atlanta has been shocking its opponents throughout the NBA Cup, and they’ll look for another big upset against a scorching-hot Bucks team.
  3. Whoever wins these games will face off in the NBA Cup Championship on Tuesday at 830ET.

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