Home » Giannis Antetokounmpo posterizes Goga Bitadze, leads Bucks to NBA Cup win over Magic | Sporting News United Kingdom

Giannis Antetokounmpo posterizes Goga Bitadze, leads Bucks to NBA Cup win over Magic | Sporting News United Kingdom

NBA

Giannis Antetokounmpo posterizes Goga Bitadze, leads Bucks to NBA Cup win over Magic | Sporting News United Kingdom

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December 11, 2024February 12, 2023
Giannis Antetokounmpo posterizes Goga Bitadze, leads Bucks to NBA Cup win over Magic | Sporting News United Kingdom

Since starting the year 1-6, the Bucks have come all the way back to reach a 13-11 record — and of course, Giannis Antetokounmpo has been at the center of it all. 

With Milwaukee heading into Tuesday’s NBA Cup matchup against the Magic having won eight of its last 10 games, Antetokounmpo dominated for another Bucks victory. But it took a huge effort from the “Greek Freak,” including a massive poster over Orlando center Goga Bitadze, for the Bucks to stay alive in the in-season tournament.

Antetokounmpo’s poster came after Bitadze got his own good shot over the Bucks’ star earlier in the matchup, though. 

Here’s a look at how the two big men threw down dunks over one another on Tuesday, plus Antetokounmpo’s final numbers against the Magic and the updated NBA Cup bracket following Milwaukee’s 114-109 win.

MORE: Updated picks, predictions, odds for NBA Cup

Goga Bitadze, Giannis Antetokounmpo posterize each other in NBA Cup matchup

The quarterfinals of the NBA Cup began on Tuesday, and both Bitadze and Antetokoumpo made sure to put on a show for it. 

Bitadze, who finished with 12 points and 14 rebounds, came rolling to the rim in the second quarter of the matchup, stuffing a one-handed dunk over the Bucks’ superstar.

After halftime, Antetokounmpo came back for revenge. Around the midway point of the third quarter, he drove to the basket, used his unreal length to reach the rim as he usually does, then threw a dunk down over Bitadze with his left hand.

The matchup remained close into the final minutes, but a few buckets from Damian Lillard helped seal Milwaukee’s win, including a step-back three to tie it at 106 with under a minute remaining.

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Giannis Antetokounmpo stats vs. Magic

  • Points: 37
  • Rebounds: 7
  • Assists: 1
  • Steals: 2
  • Blocks: 4
  • Turnovers: 6
  • FG: 15-24

NBA Cup updated bracket

With the Bucks’ win, just seven teams are still alive in the race to win the NBA Cup. Here’s a look at the bracket entering Tuesday, with Milwaukee now set to face either Atlanta or New York in the semifinals:

The Thunder and Mavericks will also face off on Tuesday night, while the matchups between the Hawks and Knicks, plus the Warriors and Rockets, are lined up for Wednesday night.