Patty Mills to feature in NBA play-offs after Brooklyn Nets defeat Cleveland Cavaliers

The Brooklyn Nets are through to the play-offs, meaning popular Aussie Patty Mills has a shot at winning a second NBA title.

Patty Mills and the Brooklyn Nets have booked a spot in the NBA play-offs by defeating the Cleveland Cavaliers 115-108 at home.

Despite their strong start to the season, the Nets slipped down the ladder as time wore on and were consigned to the play-in tournament to keep their dreams of NBA glory alive.

But Mills and co. stepped up on the big stage and thoroughly outclassed the Cavaliers with a monstrous 40-point first quarter on Wednesday morning (AEDT).

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The Cavs threatened to pull off a comeback for the ages, outscoring the Nets in the three remaining quarters and cutting back a game-high 22-point lead to just six in the final period.

The gap proved too big to close, though, and the Nets held on in front of their home fans.

Mills started from the bench and knocked down two threes to go with five rebounds, a block and an assist.

But the night belonged to Kyrie Irving, who as recently as a month ago wasn’t allowed to play Nets home games due to New York’s Covid-19 vaccine rules.

The Melbourne-born American starred with 34 points, 12 assists and three rebounds.

Kyrie Irving was on fire. Sarah Stier/Getty Images/AFP

Mills joins Matisse Thybulle of the Philadelphia 76ers and Dallas Mavericks’ Josh Green as one of three Aussies in the NBA play-offs. San Antonio Spurs big man Jock Landale could join them, pending the results of the western conference play-in tournament.

For their next mission, the Nets must topple the Boston Celtics, who finished second in the eastern conference.

The sides will play as many seven matches, with the first to win four progressing to the next round of the play-offs.

Mills in action against the Cavaliers. Sarah Stier/Getty Images/AFP

It remains to be seen whether Aussie Nets recruit Ben Simmons will return for the series – coach Steve Nash has previously been coy on his ability to recover from a back injury in time.

The Cavaliers’ season is alive for now but they’ll have to defeat the winner of the Atlanta Hawks’ clash with the Charlotte Hornets in order to progress to the play-offs.

Originally published as Patty Mills to feature in NBA play-offs after Brooklyn Nets defeat Cleveland Cavaliers