Sports

GLASGOW — Celtic opened up a 14-point lead at the top of the Scottish Premiership over Rangers with a 4-0 thrashing of St Johnstone, while their Glasgow rivals were held 2-2 at Motherwell on Sunday.

Ahead of the traditional new year Old Firm clash on January 2 the destiny of the title already looks decided after another miserable away day for Philippe Clement's men.

Rangers fell 2-0 down at Fir Park as goals from Apostolos Stamatelopoulos and Tawanda Maswanhise put the home side on course for a first home league win over the Ibrox giants since 2002.

Clement had rotated his side heavily from Thursday's 2-1 defeat at St. Mirren but his half-time introduction of regular starters Hamza Igamane and Vaclav Cerny did at least salvage a point.

Igamane struck twice in 18 minutes to level, either side of two disallowed goals for Motherwell.

Tony Watt was twice denied, for offside and a foul on Rangers goalkeeper Jack Butland, leading to Motherwell manager Stuart Kettlewell being sent to the stands for his protests.

More dropped points for Rangers means that Aberdeen could go back into second should they end a seven-game winless run later at Dundee United.

Celtic cruised to a 16th win in 18 league games this season despite making five changes with Thursday's trip to Ibrox in mind.

Nicolas Kuhn's 15th goal of the season was scant reward for a dominant first half from the hosts at Celtic Park.

But there was little doubt over the outcome of a top against bottom clash and Celtic made sure of a more comprehensive scoreline in the second period.

Four of Kyogo Furuhashi's eight league goals this season have come against the Saints as the Japan international's quickfire double ended his dry spell in front of goal.

Furuhashi had a simple task to head into an empty net after Paulo Bernardo was denied by St. Johnstone goalkeeper Josh Rae.

Arne Engles' low cross was then prodded in by Furuhashi from close range.

Ross County struck in the 97th and 98th minutes through Joshua Nisbet and Jordan White to deny Hearts in a 2-2 draw.

The visitors, who had led through two goals from 17-year-old striker James Wilson, remain second bottom.

Hibernian beat Kilmarnock 1-0 to close within three points of the top six.

Dundee ended a three-game losing streak with a 2-1 win at St. Mirren.

LOS ANGELES, United States — Jaylen Brown delivered a 44-point gem as the NBA champion Boston Celtics snapped a two-game losing streak with a 142-105 blowout of the Indiana Pacers on Saturday.

Brown set the tone with 15 points in the first quarter, when the Celtics out-scored the Pacers 39-22 to take control.

He finished with six of the Celtics' 23 three-pointers and came up with four steals, posting his highest scoring output since he scored 50 in a win over Orlando in January 2022.

"He was big-time," Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla said of Brown, who energized the TD Garden crowd with an array of thunderous dunks. "He has the ability to impact a team and an arena with his energy and his physicality.

"When he gets into a certain zone he just gets locked in, and you kind of saw that on both ends of the floor."

Jayson Tatum scored 22 points and pulled down 13 rebounds and Payton Pritchard added 18 points, eight rebounds and 10 assists off the bench for the Celtics, who shrugged off the absence of Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holiday to post their biggest points total of the season.

The lopsided win over the team they vanquished in last season's Eastern Conference finals saw the Celtics avoid their first three-game skid of the season.

Tyrese Haliburton scored 19 points and Bennedict Mathurin scored 18 for the Pacers, who were without injured Obi Toppin and Andrew Nembhard.

Edwards seals T'Wolves win 

It came down to the wire in Houston, where Minnesota's Anthony Edwards drilled a step-back three-pointer with 23.2 seconds remaining to lift the Timberwolves to a 113-112 victory over the Rockets.

Fred VanVleet had a chance win it for Houston, but missed a three-pointer with 1.8 seconds left.

Julius Randle scored 27 points and Edwards finished with 24 for the Timberwolves, who trailed by 16 points, 106-90, with 4:57 left to play.

"Made it happen!" Edwards said. "Got some stops, we made some big shots -- made a big shot at the end right there."

Alperen Sengun led the Rockets with 38 points and 12 rebounds. Amen Thompson added 20 points as all five Houston starters scored in double figures only to come up short at the end.

The New York Knicks pushed their winning streak to six games with a convincing 108-85 victory over the Magic in Orlando.

Jalen Brunson scored 26 points and handed out nine assists and Josh Hart added 23 points and 13 rebounds for the Knicks, who made just four of their 15 three-point attempts but converted 24 of their 34 free-throw attempts.

The Magic, with top contributors Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner and Moritz Wagner on the injured list, were led by 27 points from Jalen Suggs.

San Antonio star Victor Wembanyama delivered 19 points, seven rebounds and six blocked and the Spurs heated up in the second half to beat the Nets 96-87 in Brooklyn.

The Spurs connected on just 11 of their 40 shot attempts in the first half and were tied 41-41 at halftime.

They broke it open in the third quarter, connecting on 13 of their 18 shots. Wembanyama made four of his five attempts in the period, including three three-pointers, as the Spurs seized a 74-62 lead going into the fourth quarter.

MANCHESTER, United Kingdom — Erling Haaland had a second-half penalty saved as Manchester City's astonishing slump continued with a 1-1 draw against lowly Everton at the Etihad Stadium.

Winners of the last four Premier League titles, the English champions have won just once in their last 13 games in all competitions.

Bernardo Silva put City in front early on before Iliman Ndiaye salvaged a point for the Toffees.

City climb to sixth but could end the day five points adrift of the top four.

A hard-fought point for the visitors edges Everton five clear of the relegation zone in 15th.

City boss Pep Guardiola conceded ahead of the game that his side are at risk of failing to qualify for the Champions League for the first time in 15 years.

The top four automatically qualify for Europe's premier club competition but fifth is likely to be enough this season due to a strong start by English clubs in European competition.

"The one team that has been in the Champions League for the past years has been Manchester City," said Guardiola. "Now we are at risk, of course we are. Definitely."

Not for the first time in City's miserable few months they failed to build on a promising start.

Josko Gvardiol headed a corner off the post inside the opening three minutes.

Everton had kept five clean sheets in their last six games but were breached after just 14 minutes.

Jeremy Doku fed Silva and his effort across goal deflected off Jarrad Branthwaite and looped beyond the helpless Jordan Pickford.

Silva wasted a glorious chance for the vital second goal when he attempted a tough finish with the outside of his left boot that flew past the post when he had just Pickford to beat.

Guardiola held his head in his hands as that opportunity slipped by and had even more reason to lament moments later.

Manuel Akanji sliced an attempted clearance into the path of Ndiaye, who took one touch to control before unleashing a brilliant finish into the top corner for Everton's first away goal in over two months.

Pickford denied Savinho's low effort and Mateo Kovacic fired just wide as City upped the tempo at the start of the second period.

There was another major swing in momentum just seven minutes after the restart.

Savinho was chopped down inside the area by Vitaliy Mykolenko, who was lucky to avoid a second yellow card.

Haaland had the chance to end his longest goal drought at the Etihad but his spot-kick was that of a striker short in confidence as Pickford dived low to his right to make the save.

The giant Norwegian headed in after Gvardiol nodded the rebound across goal but was clearly offside.

Haaland has scored just once in his last seven matches and not found the net in his last four.

Guardiola said this week the 24-year-old's lean spell alone did not explain City's collapse.

But their dependance on Haaland, who has played the full 90 minutes in every Premier League game this season, is at the heart of his side's struggles.

It should have been even worse for Guardiola's men as Everton spurned a huge chance to snatch all three points deep in stoppage time.

Jack Harrison's shot was blocked after the visitors failed to make the most of a four against two counter-attack.

MELBOURNE  - India captain Rohit Sharma was coy on Tuesday on how his team will line up for the Boxing Day Test against Australia, with the option of a second spinner on the table.

Temperatures are forecast to reach 40 degrees Celsius on Thursday, and the Melbourne Cricket Ground curator said during the week he expected the pitch to offer plenty for the fast bowlers.

But Rohit left the door open to a second spinner.

"Whatever we have to do to make the best possible XI in these conditions, we will do that -- whether that is playing an extra spinner or not," he said.

With off-spinning allrounder Ravichandran Ashwin announcing his immediate retirement from international cricket after the third Test in Brisbane, Ravindra Jadeja is expected to keep his place.

Washington Sundar is the other spin option.

India has been carried this series by pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah, who has tormented Australia almost single-handedly, with the other quicks not offering as much menace.

Speedster Akash Deep replaced the underperforming Harshit Rana in Brisbane and is set to play again along with Mohammed Siraj and Nitish Kumar Reddy should the second spin option not be taken.

Despite their lacklustre performance, Rohit defended the pace attack.

"When you talk about our bowling unit, I have enough faith in all our bowlers to get the job done," he said.

"Anyone can have tough games, tough series. But it doesn't mean they are not good enough to perform at this level.

"It happened that in these two or three games; they've not been able to get those big numbers, but that's okay, it happens. I have enough confidence and faith in them."

Rohit himself is under pressure.

After missing the first Test in Perth for the birth of his second child, he came in at six in Adelaide and Brisbane instead of opening to allow Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul to remain at the top of the order.

There has been mounting speculation that he could again start as opener in Melbourne, but brushed off questions about the likelihood.

"Let's not worry about that. I think who bats where is something that we need to figure out within ourselves," he said.

"It's not a thing I should be discussing at every press conference, where I'll be batting.

"Whatever it takes for our team to look good or gives us the best chance to succeed, we'll try and do that."

The two sides head into the match tied at 1-1 in the five-match series after India won by 295 runs in Perth before being crushed by 10 wickets at Adelaide.

The hosts were on top at the third Test in Brisbane, but persistent rain ruined the game and it ended in a draw.

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia — Oleksandr Usyk has vanquished all before him but there are signs of frustration that the quietly determined Ukrainian does not get the recognition he deserves.

Usyk, 37, ended debate about this generation's top heavyweight when, deep into the night in Riyadh on Saturday, he saw off the previously unbeatable Tyson Fury for a second time.

Asked which of boxing's heavyweight greats he could not have beaten, Usyk gave an understated but telling answer.

"Oleksandr Usyk," he told reporters, before bowing karate-style and leaving.

There is no doubt that Usyk has earned his right to be mentioned alongside Muhammad Ali, Mike Tyson and the other legends on the list of undisputed heavyweights.

The 2012 Olympic heavyweight gold medallist, now 23-0 as a professional having been undisputed champion at both cruiserweight and heavyweight, has put together one of the all-time great careers.

According to Ring Magazine, the intelligent, gap-toothed fighter from Simferopol, Crimea, has "completed boxing".

Perhaps it's his shaky command of English, perhaps it's his unfashionable origins, but Usyk's camp feels he still flies under the radar.

"What else does Oleksandr need to prove? He's the best," asked his manager, Egis Klimas.

"Does he need to prove anything else?"

Usyk, who shares a birthday with Ali, compiled an imperious amateur career, including the European and world titles along with Olympic gold.

His professional debut came at a mature 26 but within 15 fights he had become the first man to unify all four cruiserweight belts.

He then repeated the trick after six bouts at heavyweight, beating Fury in May to end a 25-year wait for a unified champion in the top division.

Running out of opponents 

Way past midnight on Saturday, he was too fast, fit and accurate for the 206cm, 127.4kg Fury, winning the rematch by unanimous decision.

The fight was "easier than the first one", said Usyk, who is running out of opponents and has teased a return to cruiserweight.

Usyk has beaten Anthony Joshua twice, and before facing Fury he knocked out Daniel Dubois, who challenged him to a rematch immediately after Saturday's fight.

The heady accomplishments are a long way from Usyk's start in boxing aged 15 when, already an accomplished street fighter, he realised it was cheaper than football.

"I decided to go into a boxing gym soon because you don't need too expensive equipment for being a boxer," Usyk told Ring Magazine a decade ago.

"On the other hand, I previously knew that I definitely can fight because of many winning street fights which I was involved in during my boyhood."

Usyk, nicknamed "The Cat" for his lightning reflexes, has employed unusual preparations including four-minute breath-holds, juggling and his party-piece: balancing six coins on the back of his hands, flicking them in the air and catching them.

The heir to an elite line of Ukrainian fighters, including the Klitschko brothers and Vasyl Lomachenko, is now happily making it pay in oil-rich Saudi Arabia.

Perhaps not surprisingly, after a reported $190 million purse for Saturday's fight, the father of four says he's not done yet, despite his advancing years.

"Regarding the future, I do have will and power to go further," he said.

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia — Oleksandr Usyk won his heavyweight championship rematch against Tyson Fury by unanimous decision overnight on Saturday to stay unbeaten across two divisions and cement his place among the greats.

The Ukrainian, who forced the pace and repeatedly tagged Fury with his accurate left hook, was awarded the fight 116-112 by all three judges, handing Fury his second straight loss.

Usyk's win takes him to 23-0 with 14 knockouts and extends one of the all-time best careers that includes Olympic gold and undisputed champion at cruiserweight.

"He's a great fighter, it's a great performance," Usyk, 37, said of Fury, who was unbeaten over 35 fights until he lost their four-belt unification bout in May.

"Unbelievable 24 rounds for my career."

Only the WBA, WBO and WBC belts were on the line this time after Usyk, focused on the lucrative rematch, relinquished his IBF title rather than face challenger Daniel Dubois.

By beating Fury in May, "The Cat" had already joined the likes of Muhammad Ali, Joe Louis and Mike Tyson as undisputed heavyweight, and the first of the four-belt era.

"He's my best friend," he said of Fury. "I respect this guy because I think he's a really tough opponent. Tyson Fury makes me strong."

'Crazy man'

But the defeat opens up an uncertain future for the 36-year-old Fury, now 34-2-1, who announced his retirement in 2022 only to return to the ring.

"I thought I've won both fights, but then again I've got two losses on my record now, so there's not much I can do about it," said the Briton, who refused to discuss his next steps.

Promoter Frank Warren also called the judges' decision "nuts". But Usyk dismissed his complaints.

"Uncle Frank, I think is blind... crazy man," joked the Ukrainian.

Fury, wearing a Santa-style red-and-white robe and bushy beard, appeared to Mariah Carey's "All I Want For Christmas Is You", before a determined-looking Usyk strode out in Cossack gear.

The 206cm Briton's jab held Usyk at bay early on and he landed a jarring right in round two. Usyk caught Fury flush with a left as he raised the pace in round three.

They went toe-to-toe in a punishing fifth round, with Fury pummelling body shots while Usyk launched a flurry to the head. In the sixth, he stung Fury with a clean hit to the nose.

The supremely fit Usyk, renowned for taking charge in the closing rounds, was the aggressor in the seventh, tagging Fury with a hook as the "Gypsy King" backed away.

Fury regained the initiative in the ninth, wielding his jab and one-two combinations and leaning on the Ukrainian, employing his career-heaviest 281lb (127.4kg) of weight.

It was see-saw stuff as they traded blows but Usyk rocked Fury in the 11th with a lightning combination that ended with yet another left hook to the face.

An Usyk uppercut to Fury's chin highlighted a furious final round and there seemed little doubt about the winner as the Ukrainian sank to his knees, arms aloft.

Ancient sabre

Usyk, who briefly served as a soldier after the Russian invasion, then celebrated by holding up a sabre that belonged to Ivan Mazepa, a hero of Ukrainian nationalism who fought against Russian control in the early 1700s.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was quick to hail the victory, calling it proof that Ukraine "will not give up what's ours" after nearly three years of war with Russia.

"Victory!" Zelensky said in a post on Telegram. "So important and so necessary for all of us now."

Reports put the prize purse at an increased $190 million with Usyk, as defending champion, expected to receive the bigger share -- a reversal of fortunes from May.

The fight sits high in the portfolio of Saudi Arabia's oil-funded push into sports, which has drawn accusations of "sportswashing" its dubious human rights record.

After Formula One, the LIV Golf tour, Newcastle United and a swathe of ageing football stars, the conservative kingdom's strategy confirmed its crowning moment this month when it was awarded football's 2034 World Cup.

BARCELONA — Hansi Flick's Barcelona started the season in superb form but Atletico Madrid have wrestled their way into the title race and the two sides meet on Saturday bidding to lead La Liga at Christmas.

Both have 38 points and although Barcelona have played one extra match they lead the table on goal difference, with champions Real Madrid third, a point behind and still firmly in the fight thanks to the Catalans' recent slump.

Diego Simeone's Atletico have won 11 consecutive matches across all competitions and need to add one more victory at the Olympic Stadium to claim top spot.

The Rojiblancos made several summer signings, including Alexander Sorloth and Julian Alvarez in attack, and their deep squad started off as a problem but is becoming a positive.

Simeone regularly had to leave star names on the bench as he rotated and it took the squad a while to come to terms with it.

However now Atletico regularly have been able to win matches because of the impact of their substitutes and the coach said it is their greatest strength.

"Before the [win over Getafe last weekend] I spoke with the players about thanking and recognising those who weren't going to start the game," said Simeone.

"There are very important players who are competing in an extraordinary way, and you can tell that when they come into the team.

"That is our strength, to compete in the way we want, we need everyone to be as involved as they [currently] are -- it's our biggest strength."

Former Barcelona duo Antoine Griezmann and Clement Lenglet are in superb form for the visitors.

As Atletico's fortunes have changed for the better, Barcelona's season has hit a surprise slump.

The Catalans, who lost 1-0 at home against Leganes last weekend, have won just one of their last six league games, with three of those ending in defeat.

Flick's intense pressing game seems to be taking a toll on the team, who no longer appear as sharp as they did at the start of the season.

"I think we started the game half-asleep," admitted midfielder Pedri after that defeat.

The German coach has proven reluctant to rotate his key players, also contributing to the team's lack of freshness.

'Full concentration'

Barcelona's terrific start to the season, including thumping victories over Real Madrid in La Liga and Bayern Munich in the Champions League may have contributed to the team losing focus on a psychological level.

They started the campaign widely expected to be clinging to Madrid's coat-tails but quickly found their feet under Flick and with praise lavished upon them, the picture quickly changed.

Teams have also started to work on ways to bypass the high defensive line, with midfield runners from deep capitalising in ways Madrid and Bayern could not.

"I have told the team that everything depends on us, on whether we play with full concentration," said Flick, who is completing a touchline suspension against Atletico.

"As is normal, all teams look for our weaknesses and will fight to exploit them."

Barcelona will also be without key winger Lamine Yamal, with the 17-year-old sidelined until January with an ankle injury.

Madrid have responded well to their 4-0 Clasico thrashing by Barcelona to stay in the title race, with Kylian Mbappe fit again after a brief injury lay-off.

The French forward scored as Madrid beat Pachuca to win the Intercontinental Cup in midweek. They face Sevilla on Sunday.

Carlo Ancelotti's side could also be top during the winter break with a victory, should Barcelona and Atletico share the spoils the day before.

AMMAN — The quarterfinals of the Jordan Cup - the second major competition on the local football calendar – kick off on Friday with teams competing for prize money and a title alongside the League crown.

Matches will see Ramtha vs Ahli Friday before the rest play December 23 and 24 with Salt vs Hussein, Wihdat vs Sama Sarhan, Faisali vs Mughayer Sarhan.

Wihdat are seeking to retain the title they won in back-to-back seasons, as Hussein who lead the Pro League, aim for a new title, while Faisali strive to return to their competitive form.

Sama Sarhan are the only team from the First Divison to advance and join Pro league teams making it to the quarters. Round of 16 results were: Wihdat Vs Ma’an 5-1, Faisali vs Aqaba 5-0, Ahli vs Shabab Urdun 2-1, Hussein vs Arabi 2-0, Mughayer Sarhan vs Sahab 4-2, Ramtha vs Jazira 1-0, Salt vs Jalil 4-1 and  Sama Sarhan vs Sarih 4-1 on panatlies.

Meanwhile, as the national team is scheduled to hold a training camp  in January in preparation for resuming World Cup qualifiers, the 41st Super Cup matches set  for January 25 and 31 grouping  League champs Hussein and Jordan Cup champs Wihdat might be delayed. Faisali are 17-time record winners, Wihdat 15, Ramtha 3, Shahab Urdun 2, Ahli, Hussein and Jazira once.

Since the Cup started in 1980, Faisali are a record 21-time champions. Wihdat won 12 times, Jazira, Ramtha and Shabab Urdun twice, while Arabi, That Ras and Ahli won once each.

Last season, Hussein took home the League crown, Wihdat won their 12th Jordan Cup , as well as the Super Cup for their 15th time, while Faisali won their 9th Jordan Football Association Shield.

So far this season, Salt upset Wihdat to win their first ever major title - the Jordan Football Association Shield Cup. Salt were undefeated in the event while Wihdat were looking for a strong comeback after Ramtha and Hussein won the Pro League in the past two seasons.

LONDON — Ruben Amorim has told Marcus Rashford he should “speak with the manager” rather than air his grievances publicly after the Manchester United forward hinted he could leave Old Trafford.

The 27-year-old was dropped by United boss Amorim for Sunday’s win at Manchester City and responded by saying he was “ready for a new challenge” in an interview on social media.

Rashford came through United’s youth ranks and has chalked up 138 goals in 426 appearances for the club since making his debut in 2016.

However, he has lost form over the last 18 months with United and was also axed from England’s Euro 2024 squad.

Rashford has scored just 15 goals in 67 appearances since signing a lucrative new contract 18 months ago, with speculation over his future increasing in recent days.

The forward, who was absent from training on Monday through illness, is set to miss the League Cup quarter-final at Tottenham on Thursday.

Amorim is keen to keep Rashford but he admitted he would have handled the situation differently when he was a player.

“If this was me, probably I will speak with the manager,” he told reporters on Wednesday.

“But, guys, let’s focus on Tottenham. Tottenham is the most important thing.”

Amorim revealed he has yet to speak to Rashford since the interview that threw his United future into doubt.

“It’s hard to explain to you guys what I am going to do,” Amorim said. “I am a little bit emotional, so in the moment I will understand what to do.

“I am preparing the game and then we will see. Let’s focus on the team not individual players. That’s it.”

Amorim’s 14-minute press conference featured 16 different questions about Rashford.

It was an indication of the intense media scrutiny Amorim will have to get used to at United after arriving from Sporting Lisbon to replace the sacked Erik ten Hag in November.

“It’s a hard situation to comment on,” he said. “If I give a lot of importance, it will have big headlines in the newspaper.

“If I say it’s not a problem, then my standards are getting low. So, I will deal with that, I understand that.

“My focus is not to take the attention from the game, from the team, what we did in the last game and put on Marcus.

“What I’m saying is that the team is more important than the individual. We will assess at the right time, let’s focus on the game. That’s all.”

Amorim is determined to concentrate on the Tottenham clash despite the focus on his controversial decision to axe Rashford and Argentina winger Alejandro Garnacho from the Manchester derby.

Unlike Rashford, Garnacho was pictured with the United squad heading to London for the quarter-final having reacted impressively to his exile.

“Really good, he trained really well,” Amorim said of Garnacho. “He seems a little bit upset with me and that is perfect.

“I was really, really happy because I will do the same in his position and he’s ready for this game.”

LOS ANGELES, United States — Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks silenced the Oklahoma City Thunder in the second half to win the second edition of the NBA Cup with a 97-81 victory in Las Vegas on Wednesday.

Two-time NBA Most Valuable Player Antetokounmpo delivered a triple-double of 26 points, 19 rebounds and 10 assists along with two steals and three blocked shots for the Bucks, who drilled 17 three-pointers to complete an unbeaten run and follow in the footsteps of the Los Angeles Lakers as in-season tournament champions.

Damian Lillard scored 23 points for the Bucks, who held the potentially explosive Thunder offense to 31 points in the second half.

"That's who we are," Antetokounmpo said of the Bucks' second-half dominance, which saw them push a one-point lead at halftime to as many as 20.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Thunder with 21 points, but he connected on just eight of his 24 shots from the field, two of nine from three-point range.

The triumph was a vindication for the Bucks, who were stung by the Indiana Pacers in last year's Cup semi-finals.

They were the only team from last season's semis to make it back to the final four in Vegas, beating the Orlando Magic in the quarter-finals and dispatching Atlanta in the semis.

Their Cup success has been part of a massive turnaround after a dismal 2-8 start to the season.

They have now won 13 of their last 16 games, and Antetokounmpo, who led the Bucks to the 2021 NBA title, indicated he considered it only a stepping stone.

"It's great for our team," said Antetokounmpo, who was named MVP of the tournament. "The last 15 games we've played, we've competed. We've played team basketball.

"I'm so proud of this group," he added. "Coming out of halftime we know we have 24 minutes to go, we came out in the third quarter, we set the tone. We played great team basketball."

'Not done' 

The Bucks held the Thunder to just 14 points in the third quarter -- their lowest points total in a period this season.

"Most importantly we are competing defensively," Antetokounmpo said. "That's who we are. That's who we're going to continue to be -- and the job's not done."

Unlike the rest of the Cup matches, the final doesn't count toward the regular-season record, nor do the players' performances count in their career stats.

But the trophy does come with a financial reward with each player on the winning team set to pocket more than $514,971 -- a significant chunk of money for the younger players and lesser lights on the team.

Thunder players will take home $205,988 apiece for the runner-up finish. But they'll head back to Oklahoma City disappointed with one of their worst shooting performances of the season.

The Western Conference leaders -- who went 3-1 in group play before beating Dallas in the quarter-finals and Houston in the semis -- connected on just 33.7 percent of their shots from the field and made just five of 32 -- 15.6 percent -- from three-point range.

They had emerged from a fast-paced first quarter with a 28-27 lead.

The nip-and-tuck continued in the second quarter and the tension was evident when Milwaukee's Andre Jackson Jr and Oklahoma City's Isaiah Hartenstein received matching technicals after a heated exchange.

After a first half that featured nine lead changes the Bucks led 51-50, but Milwaukee opened the third with back-to-back three-pointers from Taurean Prince and Lillard and began to roll.