Patty Mills has surfaced again in a Brooklyn Nets squad packed with star power, the Boomers guard pouring in 14 points in a statement NBA defeat of Atlanta.
The improving Nets won 117-108, dominating the third quarter behind 32 points from Kevin Durant and a 16-point, 11-assists effort from James Harden.
Long-time San Antonio bench spark Mills has continued to impress at his new club, dishing out six assists and making four-of-seven three pointers as the Nets improved to 5-3.
Shooting at 52 per cent from long range across eight games – fifth best in the NBA this season – Mills has continued on from the form that helped the Boomers to Olympic bronze to offset the absence of star guard Kyrie Irving.
Trae Young (21 points, nine rebounds, 10 assists) made just six of 22 field goals for the Hawks, while De’Andre Hunter shot at 90 per cent for his 26 points.
Elsewhere, Mills’ fellow Tokyo standout Matisse Thybulle earned a start for Philadelphia (6-2), who soldiered on without Australian All-Star Ben Simmons (personal reasons), Danny Green (hamstring) and Tobias Harris, who has contracted COVID-19.
Thybulle (eight points, four rebounds, three steals, two blocks, one assist) made two of three three-pointers in the Sixers’ 103-98 win against fellow Eastern Conference fancies Chicago.
Joel Embiid had 18 points, nine rebounds and seven assists in his return to the line-up while Seth Curry scored 22 points and hit the crucial jumper to seal a fourth-straight win.
DeMar DeRozan tied a season-high with 37 points and grabbed 10 rebounds for the Bulls, who are now equal second in the Eastern Conference standings with the 76ers.
Sixers coach Doc Rivers confirmed pre-game Harris “was not great”.
“A lot of guys have had this (COVID-19) and they are mad like ‘what the hell? I’m fine’. Tobias is not in that category. I can tell you that,” he said.
Josh Green (two rebounds, one assist) earned more game time as his Dallas Mavericks snuck past San Antonio, who left fellow Boomer Jock Landale unused on the bench despite his impressive last-game cameo.
Jalen Brunson (31 points, 10 rebounds) outscored Mavs teammate Luka Doncic (23 points, 12 rebounds, seven assists) in the 109-108 win.
Jordan Poole (31 points, four steals) hit seven threes as Golden State improved to 6-1 with a win over Charlotte to stay level with Utah at the top of the Western Conference.
And Fred VanVleet’s season-high 33 points in a win over Washington gave Toronto (6-3) a fifth consecutive victory.
AAP
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