'We can beat anybody' - Rivers confident after Bucks' NBA Cup triumph

Doc Rivers believes the Milwaukee Bucks' NBA Cup win shows they "can beat anybody" after an impressive defensive display clinched the title.

The Bucks triumphed 97-81 over the Oklahoma City Thunder on Tuesday, holding their opponents to a season-low score, and giving up just 31 points in the second half.

Milwaukee's defence also produced team season bests in points allowed (81), field goal percentage (33.7%) and 3-point percentage (15.6%).

"I think it reminds us that we can beat anybody. And we don't care if it tells everybody else that. Like we only care about us," Rivers said.

"It's what I said in the first day of camp. Also said, we can lose anybody if we don't play right. I thought we learned that lesson early.

"So, I think it just helps the messaging that when we play right, when we play together, listen, that's an excellent defensive team, and they forced Dame [Lillard] and Giannis [Antetokounmpo] pass the ball, and they did that.

"And then they passed it so much they stopped helping it and then those two got to work. That's what this is a teacher for us is different ways to win."

Quest for the Cup complete. pic.twitter.com/cVgT61eWgx

— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) December 18, 2024

Antetokounmpo was named the tournament MVP, and was instrumental in the final, scoring 26 points, 19 rebounds and 10 assists.

Asked how it felt to coach him on a scale of one to 10, Rivers replied: "I mean, a 10, right?

"That opportunity, you know, to coach a Giannis, to coach a Dame, to see that group, a veteran group, it's an amazing opportunity for a coach.

"This group allows you to coach them, they really do. They let you coach them hard. Nobody takes anything personal. I even said it last year. It was like coaching grown-ups, if you know what I mean.

"They really get that. They get that you have to tell them the truth, and they handle it, and that's been great."

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 21 points and Jalen Williams added 18 for the Thunder, who had scored at least 99 points in every game this season.

Having already brushed aside the Dallas Mavericks and the Houston Rockets by scoring over 100 points in the quarter-finals and semi-finals respectively, Mark Daigneault was disappointed to lose out at the final hurdle, but says there are lessons to be learned from the defeat.

"It's not just one game. But these are informative games," he said.

"You win the Dallas game, we win the Houston game, those games give you confidence because they're elevated opponents. You execute, you go earn the games.

"Then when you lose a game like tonight, it gives you wisdom. It gives you information on yourselves, and as long as we're growing through all those experiences, then we'll gain momentum as the season goes on.

"We're still a young team, and a team that's growing through everything. These were good experiences this week, and now we've got to get back into the rhythm of the season and continue to get going here."