Patty Mills has begun his NBA stint with Brooklyn by scoring 21 points off the bench, but his stellar performance was not enough to prevent an opening night 127-104 loss to reigning champions Milwaukee.
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Mills, who joined the Nets in the off-season after 10 seasons with San Antonio, was still riding his lethal three-point shooting from the Tokyo Olympics where he led the Boomers to an historic bronze medal.
In 29 minutes against the Bucks, Mills was a perfect seven-from-seven from beyond the arc with only superstar teammate Kevin Durant outscoring the Australian for the Nets.
Durant finished with 32 points and 11 assists, but was outshone by two-time MVP and reigning finals MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo.
The Greek star matched Durant with 32 points, to go with 14 rebounds and seven assists.
Khris Middleton and Pat Connaughton, off the bench, both added 20 points for the Bucks while Jrue Holiday chipped in 12 points, before he left the game in the second quarter with a heel contusion.
Nets head coach Steve Nash had high praise for Mills' attitude and competitiveness post-game, saying that's exactly why the club signed the Australian.
"Obviously the shooting was exceptional, but more so just the energy, the IQ, the experience, he plays intelligently, he's able to complement his teammates so well - he just has that experience," Nash said.
"We know the shooting and skill but just his attitude, his competitiveness, you know, the pace, the way he is able to complement his teammates is exceptional as well."
Nash will also likely turn to Mills moving forward in the absence of star point guard Kyrie Irving, who is unavailable due to his refusal to receive a COVID-19 vaccine.
Mills' addition to a side featuring former MVPs Durant and James Harden could be one of the signings off the season, as his engine and high-percentage shooting from three will be key in the 82-game campaign.
In a blockbuster match-up to commence the 75th season of the NBA, it was the Bucks who led early and extended their advantage to as many as 19 points early in the second half.
They cruised to victory as both teams went to their bench players late.
Antetokounmpo showed he hadn't missed a beat since leading Milwaukee to their first championship since 1971 earlier this year, stuffing the stat sheet on the night they received their rings and raised a banner in celebration.
Their play-off run included a Game-seven overtime win over the Nets in the eastern conference semi-finals, with both clubs again tipped to head deep into the post-season.
In the second game of opening night, the Golden State Warriors downed the Los Angeles Lakers 121-114 behind a triple double from Stephen Curry - his first since January 2016.
Curry finished the game with 21 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists and perfect from the free-throne line, staving off 34 points from Lebron James and 33 from Anthony Davis.
It was the Warriors' ball movement that produced at Staples Centre, registering 30 assists on 41 made baskets on the night.
Australian Associated Press
