MVP contenders to lay down marker in NBA Cup finale

LAS VEGAS - Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks hope to add the NBA (National Basketball Association) Cup to their list of accomplishments, but they will need to go through an Oklahoma City Thunder group who have established themselves as the premier force in the West.

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The two teams will square off in Las Vegas on Dec 17 (Dec 18, Singapore time) in the second-ever NBA Cup championship game.

Antetokounmpo rose to the occasion in Milwaukee's 110-102 win over the Atlanta Hawks in the semi-finals on Dec 14. He fell one assist shy of a triple-double but was dominant nonetheless, tallying 32 points and 14 rebounds.

A victory in the NBA Cup final would mark a drastic turnaround for the Bucks, who have won 12 of their last 15 games after starting the year 2-8.

Antetokounmpo is averaging a league-high 32.7 points over 23 games this season and is firmly in contention to win his third MVP (Most Valuable Player) award.

Damian Lillard's recent performances have also been key in Milwaukee's turnaround, with the eight-time All-Star scoring 25.7 points per game.