Every Thursday, I’ll be taking you through the big story heading into the weekend. Or maybe the weirdest story? Or maybe just something that makes me laugh and I think will make you laugh too. Essentially, if you’re subscribed to The Bounce and reading every day, we’re going to have the same fun here as we do in that space.

On top of that, I’ve culled the weekend schedule for you to know what to pay attention to. Weird bad streaks against teams? Beefs you need to track? Just fun games with matchups you may not have known were happening? We’ve got that for you. On top of that, we’ll have a good old-fashioned Throwback Thursday to hit you with that feel-good nostalgia.

Let’s have fun by starting with Vegas, baby! Vegas!

Story to Watch: The NBA Cup gets back to Las Vegas

We had our group play. We had the quarterfinals of the single-elimination round Tuesday and Wednesday nights. And if you had the final four heading to Las Vegas for the NBA Cup as the Milwaukee Bucks versus the Atlanta Hawks, and the Houston Rockets versus the Oklahoma City Thunder, then I fully believe you’re a warlock or a witch … or maybe Miss Cleo passed the torch to you at some point in a very pivotal moment of your life. Regardless, we’ve got a really fun NBA Cup semifinal round set up for Saturday, when the East and West each give us one team to play for all of the NBA Cup glory. Let’s go over how each team got here, what it means and who will win the NBA Cup and that half a million (or more) per player.

Atlanta Hawks (14-12)

How’d they do in group play? 3-1, plus-15 point differential.

Did they win a tough group? Absolutely. The Boston Celtics and Cleveland Cavaliers were in East Group C, and Atlanta beat them both. Sure, the Hawks also had the Washington Wizards and Chicago Bulls in the group, but losing to Chicago isn’t a bad thing this season. They Bulls are scrappy. And the good news is they didn’t lose to the Wizards a third time when they played (yes, they’re 1-2 against Washington this season).

Is this meaningful for them? It is and should be. The Hawks have struggled with being competitive and progressing as a team since they made the 2021 Eastern Conference finals. While the NBA Cup is still new, it does add a bit of edge to some of these games, and we’ve seen that with their play so far. The Hawks are 7-1 in their last eight games and starting to flash the consistency of a team to be feared. Continuing that over into the NBA Cup could have the same effect as we saw with the Indiana Pacers last season.

How’d they make it to Vegas? They faced the New York Knicks in Madison Square Garden and used a 34-18 third quarter to take control. Their defense was intense in the second half of that game, and we saw Trae Young get diabolical with how he carved up the Knicks’ defense in the 108-100 win. We also saw Jalen Johnson and De’Andre Hunter make massive players, which has been the staple of this eight-game stretch.

Milwaukee Bucks (13-11)

How’d they do in group play? 4-0, plus-50 point differential.

Did they win a tough group? Sort of! They went undefeated (as you can see, unless you scrolled right past the previous question to read this) in the group, and secured the victory on the last night of group play when they beat the Detroit Pistons. This group should have been tougher with Indiana and Miami in it. I also think this Toronto team is better than its record.

Is this meaningful for them? It needs to be, and I think it is. The Bucks went to Vegas last year before getting hammered by the Pacers. Now, the Bucks are the only team to make it to Vegas again. Doc Rivers needs to get this team to a championship level by April, so extracting any extra competitive fire to harness in something like the NBA Cup could have a very good effect focusing them.

How’d they make it to Vegas? The Bucks nearly lost to an Orlando Magic team that was missing its two best players, Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner. But Damian Lillard flashed that Dame Time ability, and Giannis Antetokounmpo came up with some massive plays to secure the 114-109 victory. Khris Middleton had some great passing, and Bobby Portis was a good scorer, both off the bench.

De’Andre Hunter and the Hawks are the NBA Cup’s biggest surprise. (Brad Penner / Imagn Images)

Hawks vs. Bucks matchup: 4:30 p.m. ET on TNT

Do they have a history against each other? The Bucks eliminated the Hawks in the Eastern Conference finals back in 2021. The Bucks went on to win the title, and it was the last time the Hawks were relevant until this week. They’re also the last two franchises to fire Mike Budenholzer. And Doc has now played for Atlanta and coached in Milwaukee.

What’s the season series? The Hawks are 1-0 against the Bucks this season, beating them 119-104 on Dec. 4 in Milwaukee. Jalen Johnson led them with 23 points, 13 rebounds and five assists. Atlanta’s bench had 50 points on. Giannis had 31 points and 11 rebounds, while Lillard dropped 25. Nobody else for Milwaukee could really get going.

What are their odds to win the whole thing? Bucks are at +240 to win the NBA Cup. Hawks are at +500 to win the NBA Cup.

What’s the key matchup? Jalen Johnson versus Giannis Antetokounmpo. We know that nobody really stops Giannis, especially when he’s scoring in the paint like MVP Shaquille O’Neal. But Johnson has done a great job of being a scorer, a floor-stretcher, a facilitator and a defensive presence. He’s exactly what the Hawks wanted John Collins to become, and he still has so much room to grow. Antetokounmpo has a history of going against guys this size and reminding them how much stronger he is.

What’s the key stat? 15. The Bucks are 10-4 when they make 15 3-pointers in a game, and they’re just 3-7 when they don’t. That’s especially meaningful because the Hawks allow one of the highest 3-point percentages in the NBA this season.

Any key injuries? None for Milwaukee. None for Atlanta.

Gut feeling about this one? Everything tells me that the Bucks should win this game and send the Hawks home. But their matchups against Indiana said the same thing a year ago, and the Pacers beat them. The Hawks have been difficult to take seriously over the years, but this defensive turnaround does seem to have some teeth to it.

Prediction: Let’s get weird. Give me the Hawks.

Houston Rockets (17-8)

How’d they do in group play? 3-1, plus-40 point differential.

Did they win a tough group? They did. The Rockets had the Kings, Clippers and Wolves in their group. Shockingly, Portland also played really well and was briefly in the mix for the wild card. This wasn’t the toughest group, but Houston controlled it from the start.

Is this meaningful for them? Absolutely. The Rockets didn’t make the Play-In Tournament, nor the postseason last year, despite a leap forward. Now, they have the second-best record in the West, and being able to take down OKC to even get to the title game is big. Ime Udoka is trying to teach them how to win consistently, so using this as a barometer for some postseason experience is quite possible.

How’d they make it to Vegas? It was a controversial call that helped propel them over the top in a 91-90 win over the Golden State Warriors. However, this was the first time beating the Warriors since February 2020. Not to mention, they were down 89-82 and completely shut off the Warriors’ water.

Oklahoma City Thunder (19-5)

How’d they do in group play? 3-1, plus-45 point differential.

Did they win a tough group? They definitely did. Put the Jazz aside. The Spurs, Lakers and Suns were all in their group, and they needed the Spurs to lose on the last night of group play to ensure they advanced. Otherwise, we would’ve been in some point differential dance figuring out if they could get out of group play.

Is this meaningful for them? The Thunder seem to take all of this extremely seriously, and that’s a great thing for their culture. Yes, they were the No. 1 seed last year, and they’re looking like the No. 1 seed again this year. But the Thunder still have very little experience in the postseason as a team and a core. Just putting themselves in do-or-die situations in small doses like this helps battle-test them for later.

How’d they make it to Vegas? Even though the Dallas Mavericks tried to make a run, the Thunder shut their water off time and time again in a 118-104 victory at home. They also made 20 3-pointers, which is not something this team really does often this season. Combining their defensive intensity with deadly 3-point shooting almost seemed unfair.

Rockets vs. Thunder matchup: 8:30 p.m. ET on ABC

Do they have a history against each other? A little bit! After trading Russell Westbrook for Chris Paul, the Rockets and Thunder matched up in the first round of the 2020 playoffs in the NBA Bubble. The series went seven games, and a Shai Gilgeous-Alexander turnover on the final possession of Game 7 prevented OKC from having a chance to win the series and advance.

What’s the season series? These two teams are 1-1 against each other. The Thunder won the first meeting 126-107 at home behind 29 from SGA and 29 from Chet Holmgren. The Rockets won the second meeting in Houston 119-116, thanks to Fred VanVleet going for 38 points, and Alperen Şengün putting up 20 points, 14 rebounds, and nine assists.

What are their odds to win the whole thing? Thunder are at +120 to win the NBA Cup. Rockets are at +500 to win the NBA Cup.

What’s the key matchup? Isaiah Hartenstein guarding Şengün. The Rockets’ big man is a bully going to the basket, and he’s so good at pivoting around defenders into good shots. Hartenstein is a good defender, but he’s also the only big man they have worth playing right now. If OKC can clamp down on Şengün, it really limits Houston’s already-tepid offense.

What’s the key stat? 23. The Thunder lead the league in points scored off turnovers at 23.1 per game. That’s a ridiculously high number for them to average. NBA.com tracks this stat back to the 1996-97 season, and OKC has by far the highest average. Houston is the fourth-best at preventing points off turnovers at 14.6 per game.

Any injuries? Holmgren is out with a hip injury for OKC. The Rockets should be healthy for this one.

Gut feeling about this one? OKC feels like it’s destined to win this thing because it has the best defense in the NBA. As good as Houston can be, I’m not sure it can score enough on the Thunder.

Prediction: Give me the Thunder.

Games on the Radar

Do you plan out your weekend around your sports-viewing schedule? You’re not alone. Are you the type to want to look like a sports savant by going to your local sports bar, suggesting a game to put on and then reveling in the praise from fellow patrons you’ll get for knowing what to watch? You’re home. Are you the type to just fly by the seat of your pants and wing it last minute when you remember games are on? Bookmark this post and refer to it later! These are the best games to pay attention to this weekend.

(All times Eastern)

Thursday

Detroit Pistons at Boston Celtics, 7:30 p.m. on League Pass: They’re 0-2 against Boston, but the Pistons kind of played the Celtics well in those two games. This won’t make anybody forget about 1987 between these two teams, but this could be the game of the night. It’s not a great slate.

Toronto Raptors at Miami Heat, 7:30 p.m. on League Pass: This is also on the table for the top game Thursday night! The Raptors are scrappy. The Heat are getting it together. Also, the only other option is Sacramento taking on a severely injured New Orleans team. Maybe we should just watch the Rams-49ers game instead?

Friday

Indiana Pacers at Philadelphia 76ers, 7 p.m. on League Pass: The Sixers have won four of their last five, and both squads actually desperately need a win right now. The Pacers need to regain last year’s form, and Philly needs to keep building momentum.

Los Angeles Lakers at Minnesota Timberwolves, 8 p.m. on League Pass: This should probably be the game of the night. Anthony Edwards against LeBron James? Anthony Davis against Rudy Gobert? D’Angelo Russell and Julius Randle revenge games? It’s all on the table.

LA Clippers at Denver Nuggets, 9 p.m. on League Pass: This could be a sneaky good game too. Nikola Jokić is dropping big point totals every night to go along with his locker-combination stat lines. The Clippers are better than expected and have a stellar defense.

Saturday — NBA Cup Day! Live from Las Vegas!

Milwaukee Bucks vs Atlanta Hawks, 4:30 p.m. on TNT: Will the Bucks actually get to the NBA Cup Final? Or will the Hawks embrace their destiny as this year’s Pacers?

OKC Thunder vs Houston Rockets, 8:30 p.m. on ABC: The Thunder feel destined to win this whole thing, but the Rockets’ defense could ruin their plans.

Sunday

Minnesota Timberwolves at San Antonio Spurs, 7 p.m. on League Pass: One of these days we’re going to see Anthony Edwards and Victor Wembanyama meet at the rim, and I’m not sure who is going to win … but it will break the internet for a few minutes.

Memphis Grizzlies at Los Angeles Lakers, 9:30 p.m. on League Pass: This could be a real desperation game for the Lakers, as they take on a Grizzlies team that isn’t afraid of anybody. Especially not a “down on their luck” Lakers squad. Memphis wants to add to the misery.

Throwback Thursday: Happy Oscar Tshiebwe Day!

It was about a year ago that one of the funniest beefs in NBA history hit our social media timelines. And I think we were all pretty confused by it. Tensions were high between the Indiana Pacers and Milwaukee Bucks going into their Dec. 13 showdown. I don’t mean tensions were high like what happened with Ron Artest and Ben Wallace back in 2004. Tensions are rarely that high anymore in sports. Maybe hockey? They seem like they’re down for a tussle. But in the NBA, high levels of angst and possible tension usually boil up to the occasional shove or maybe one of those weird yelling-at-each-other-while-they’re-pushing-their-foreheads-together. 

The Pacers kind of owned the Bucks going into that game — at least in the moment, riding confidently from their In-Season Tournament championship game appearance. It was a contest they got to by taking down the Bucks in Las Vegas. It was a pretty dramatic win, and it included Tyrese Haliburton knocking down some daggers. Then, he tapped his wrist to mimic Lillard’s “Dame Time” celebration to let everybody know it was about to be Haliburton Time. Hali Time? Haliburton Hour? Hali Hour? I’m not sure anything ever got proposed or settled for a nickname when stealing Dame’s celebration. That happened less than a week before this showdown.

Indiana was 2-0 on the season against Milwaukee and feeling pretty good about itself. Maybe that was the case because Antetokounmpo wanted historic revenge, which is exactly what he got. The two-time MVP set a career-high in that game, going 20-of-28 from the field (no made 3-pointers) and 24-of-32 shooting from the free-throw line, to rack up 64 points. It set the Bucks’ franchise record for points in a game, and this is an organization that employed both Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Joe Alexander. Antetokounmpo capped off the 64-point effort with a breakaway dunk with 26 seconds left, and Milwaukee won 140-126. That’s when the hilarious beef started.

During the game, Pacers rookie Oscar Tshiebwe scored his first point in the NBA. It was literally his first point. He had one point on 1-of-2 shooting from the free-throw line. Why does this matter? Because it caused the confusion right after the final buzzer sounded. Cameras caught Antetokounmpo looking pretty heated in discussing something with Haliburton and some Pacers personnel. All of a sudden, Antetokounmpo was running into the tunnel toward the Pacers’ locker room. Why? He was convinced Indiana stole the game ball from his career-high scoring effort.

These are the funniest beats of what happened postgame:

• The Pacers grabbed the game ball for Tshiebwe’s first point in the NBA, according to Pacers coach Rick Carlisle.
• Carlisle also said in the kerfuffle of Antetokounmpo and his brother, Thanasis, trying to get to the game ball, Pacers general manager Chad Buchanan got elbowed in the ribs.
• Giannis said after the game he didn’t know if the ball he was given was the actual game ball because it didn’t feel like the same ball used in the game.
• Then, there was video put out on the internet that clearly showed Bucks security grabbing the ball as the game ended.

Video from Bucks telecast clearly shows Bucks security got the game ball and handed it to a team staffer.

National crisis over. pic.twitter.com/5i2vIKvUM3

— Scott Agness (@ScottAgness) December 14, 2023

Antetokounmpo still wasn’t sure if he had the actual ball. Maybe it was a fake? Maybe it was one of those basketballs Pizza Hut used to give away when you bought a medium stuffed crust pizza and a 2-liter soda? Maybe Bennedict Mathurin dressed up in a Bucks security outfit and made it look like an inside job? We’re not sure. The video shows the Bucks got the ball, and Antetokounmpo refused to confirm it. Maybe the Pacers truly did play a game of Three-Card Monte with some basketballs and grifted the Bucks out of the actual rock. Who knows?

My favorite part of this big, dumb beef between the two teams that night is Tshiebwe actually made a single free throw in the In-Season Tournament championship loss to the Lakers. While In-Season Tournament (now NBA Cup) games do count in the standings, the championship game does not. The stats are meaningless, unless we’re talking about the half a million bank deposit the winners get from it. So, his first free throw didn’t count, and it led to the Pacers trying to get a game ball for his personal collection.

The Pacers ended up with the last laugh because they beat Milwaukee in the first round of the playoffs. I’ll never stop laughing at the posturing and bickering that stemmed from this game.

(Top photo of Dillon Brooks and Fred VanVleet: Alex Slitz / Getty Images)