Bucks Zone

The Milwaukee Bucks are eager to play in the Final Four of the NBA Cup

The Bucks are just one win away from the NBA Cup Final Four.
Matthew Dugandzic|
© Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

In this story:

Milwaukee Bucks

The Milwaukee Bucks will be one of the eight teams competing in the knockout quarterfinals of the NBA In-Season Tournament after they outlasted the Miami Heat on Tuesday night, 131-124.

It was Milwaukee’s second-straight win over the Miami Heat this season, duplicating their 122-114 win in their initial duel last October 30th.

The victory became more meaningful as the Bucks swept East Group B with a 4-0 record to advance to the sudden-death quarterfinal round, where they will face the New York Knicks.

“It feels good. Completed the task of getting to Vegas. Now we got to do a little bit more,” said Middleton, who scored 17 points, including four crucial points in the closing minutes of the hard-earned win.

The Bucks will actually have to host wild-card New York next Tuesday. East Group C winner Boston will face Group A winner Indiana for the other quarterfinal.

Should the Bucks beat the Knicks, they will go to Las Vegas for the Final Four.

In the West quarterfinal matches, the Phoenix Suns will go up against the LA Lakers, while the New Orleans Pelicans will take on the Sacramento Kings.

Middleton emphasized that the Bucks are keen on going all the way and earning the distinction of being the first-ever NBA Cup champion.

“We’re hungry. It’s exciting times for us to go to Vegas for the first In-Season Tournament, so we're happy about that,” Middleton said.

Coach Adrian Griffin didn’t talk much about the Bucks securing a quarterfinal seat in the In-Season Tournament.

“Let's focus on Chicago and go from there,” Griffin said.

Milwaukee will play the Bulls and the Atlanta Hawks before its quarterfinal game against the Knicks.

The Milwaukee Bucks beat the Miami Heat to advance to the knockout round of NBA Cup

Published
Matthew Dugandzic
MATTHEW DUGANDZIC

Matthew finished his bachelor's degree in Economics (Management) at the University of Split and got his master's degree in the same field at the University of Zadar. Whether it is playing the game as an undersized 6'3'' power forward or simply watching it, Matthew can't get enough of it. After all, he has been an avid NBA fan since the 2000s. But don't get him wrong, as Matthew still loves the old-school NBA and is a true student of the game. From on-court moments to off-court stuff, whether it's about the stars of modern-day basketball or legends of the game, Matthew covers every category of the NBA world and basketball in general, as long as it makes for an engaging and exciting story.