NBA Cup 2024: Top Storylines for Semifinals Bracket

The NBA Cup continues Saturday with semifinal round action, featuring the Milwaukee Bucks and Atlanta Hawks in the East Semifinal and Oklahoma City and Houston in the West Semifinal.

When can viewers check out the action and what are two key storylines surrounding the games?

Find out with this preview of the high-stakes showdowns.

Schedule and Viewing Info

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LAS VEGAS, NV - DECEMBER 13: Trae Young #11 of the Atlanta Hawks speaks to the media during media availability as part of the 2024 NBA Emirates Cup on December 13, 2024 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2024 NBAE (Photo by David Nemec/NBAE via Getty Images)

East Conference Semifinal

Match-Up: Atlanta Hawks at Milwaukee Bucks

Date: Saturday, December 14

Time: 4:30 p.m. EST

TV: TNT

Streaming: Hulu+ Live TV, YouTube TV, Sling

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West Conference Semifinal

Match-Up: Houston Rockets at Oklahoma City Thunder

Date: Saturday, December 14

Time: 8:30 p.m. EST

TV: ABC

Streaming: Hulu+ Live TV, YouTube TV, Sling

Tournament Unbeaten Bucks Look to Continue Season Turnaround

Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images

MILWAUKEE, WI - DECEMBER 10: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks looks on during the game against the Orlando Magic during the Emirates NBA Cup Quarterfinals on December 10, 2024 at Fiserv Forum Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2024 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images).

It was not all that long ago when it appeared like the sky was falling in Milwaukee.

At one point, the team was 1-6 and rumors permeated about the possibility that the team would be open to trading two-time league MVP, eight-time All-Star, Defensive Player of the Year, and eight-time All-NBA selection Giannis Antetokounmpo.

The resilient Milwaukee squad has battled back from that inauspicious start and is currently sixth in the Eastern Conference, with a 13-11 record.

More impressively, they have advanced through the NBA Cup unbeaten.

The team has played its best ball within the confines of the tournament, scoring three double-digit victories in four group stage wins and bouncing the young, fun Orlando Magic squad in a quarterfinal match-up, 114-109.

Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard have spurred the Bucks' comeback with an explosive offense that has seen the former average 32.7 per game while Lillard has added 25.8.

The Milwaukee offense runs through those two superstars, with everyone else playing complementary ball. Bobby Portis Jr. has emerged in recent games, but a victory for the Bucks hinges on their two stars continuing to perform at the level they have to this point.

Against the Hawks and a dazzling offense sparked by star Trae Young's willingness to dish the ball (12.2 assists per game) to the likes of Jalen Johnson and De'Andre Hunter, the key may be Antetokounmpo's defense.

If Giannis can sustain his 9.3 defensive rebounds per game, and shut down some of the lanes Young will look to take advantage of while finding his teammates, it will be difficult for the Hawks to hang that first (and most costly) "L" on a team that has bounced back from a frustrating start to the season to find themselves in the thick of the Eastern Conference and two wins away from claiming the NBA Cup.

Youthful Excitement Defines West Semifinal

Logan Riely/NBAE via Getty Images

HOUSTON, TX - DECEMBER 11: Amen Thompson #1 and Jalen Green #4 of the Houston Rockets celebrate after the game against the Golden State Warriors during the Emirates NBA Cup Quarterfinals on December 11, 2024 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2024 NBAE (Photo by Logan Riely/NBAE via Getty Images)

It is impossible not to be excited about the future of the Western Conference based on the two teams vying for a berth in the finals of the NBA Cup tournament.

The Oklahoma City Thunder have been the best team, or among the best teams, in the NBA for the last two seasons. The No. 1 seed in the conference at this point in the season, they are 19-5 and look every bit as good as they were in 2023.

A 14-point win over last season's Western Conference champs in the quarterfinal round of the NBA Cup tournament only enhanced perceptions that they are the team to beat in this field and the West.

The Houston Rockets may have something to say about that following their grueling one-point victory over the Golden State Warriors in their quarterfinal match-up. The resilient young team overcame a third-quarter surge by Steph Curry and Co. to escape with the win and cash their ticket to the semifinal.

The question is whether the Rockets' Jalen Green, Alperen Sengun, and veteran Fred VanVleet can slow Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who is in the midst of another MVP-worthy campaign and is averaging 32.2 points in Cup play.

If they can, they may cash their ticket to the final.

Oklahoma City will dominate if the Thunder can slow the revitalized VanVleet, star Green, and Sengun, averaging 20.4 in the tournament

Regardless, two of the four youngest teams in basketball are battling in a high-stakes semifinal round game and that should enthuse fans looking forward to the future of the game.