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15 - 18
August 2015
Pat Mills (AUS)
28/04/2015
News
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The grind is worth it for Mills

SAN ANTONIO (NBA/2015 FIBA Oceania Championship) - Pat Mills had a slow start to the season with the San Antonio Spurs but he's finishing fast.

Real fast.

That's what Australia and the rest of the world have grown accustomed to seeing from the 1.83m Canberra native, a player who excelled late in campaigns with the Saint Mary's Gaels in American college basketball, with Australia's national team in important games and only last year with the Spurs.

After having a starring role in San Antonio's NBA Finals winning season of 2013-14, a repeat performance seemed unlikely when Mills was told he needed a shoulder operation, one that knocked him out of the FIBA Basketball World Cup and also kept him sidelined with the Spurs until 28 December.

But he's back to his best, and the Spurs are glad he is.

This is business time now - Mills

Mills has drilled nine three-pointers from 18 attempts in the team's opening round postseason series with the Los Angeles Clippers.

His scoring average has jumped from 6.9 points per game in the regular season to 11.8 in the playoffs.

Immediately before the playoffs tipped off, Mills sounded like a player that was going to turn it up a notch.

Asked by Australia's Fairfax Media about his mindset, he answered: "It's time to go to work and be that extra bit focused and extra bit determined for the playoffs.

"We've had to overcome a lot of different obstacles this year compared to last year.

"It's ignited the fire a little bit more because we know what we want to get done."

The Spurs are engaged in an almighty struggle with the Clippers.

The series is knotted at 2-2.

Mills has averaged 16 minutes per game and been crucial in the wins.

Those who didn't envision him returning to top form this season after his shoulder operation have been reminded of his toughness and determination.

"I've had some ups and downs myself," he said.

"It's [the comeback] exactly what I expected.

"I knew it wouldn't be smooth sailing and I'd have to find my place again after the shoulder injury.

"The biggest thing was having to hang in there and grind it out.

It's been a test of character again, but I enjoyed the challenge - Mills

Basketball fans back home, including national team coach Andrej Lemanis, are keeping their fingers crossed that Mills will be able to suit up for the Boomers and help them take on the New Zealand Tall Blacks in the FIBA Oceania Championship.

The sides will square off in Melbourne 15 August and then meet in Wellington on 18 August.

A spot in the Rio de Janeiro Games will be at stake.

They will also be hoping that Mills' Spurs teammate, Aron Baynes, will again be able to represent the Boomers.

Baynes was a key man in Australia's World Cup squad.

Apart from the Spurs, there are other reasons for Australians to be tuning in to the NBA playoffs.

Andrew Bogut plays for the Golden State Warriors, Matthew Dellavedova for the Cleveland Cavaliers and Cameron Bairstow for the Chicago Bulls.

​"It's great for Australian basketball and I hope people back home understand how hard it is for Aussies to get in this situation," Mills said.

"It's a good reason for a lot of Aussies to get behind basketball over here."

FIBA