Patrick Mills hit the Memphis Grizzlies with four knockout blows to lift the San Antonio Spurs to a crucial NBA play-offs win on Wednesday.
The Canberra point guard sent the San Antonio crowd into a frenzy with a stunning final quarter blitz, highlighted by four three-pointers in a game-winning stretch.
The Spurs beat the Grizzlies 116-103 and now hold a 3-2 lead in the best of seven series to begin the play-off campaign.
The Grizzlies had managed to contain Mills in the first four games, but he broke the shackles with a 20-point haul in game five to enhance his reputation as a big-game player.
"Overall it was just one of those games where you're fortunate enough to make shots," Mills said.
"Defensively, [the Grizzlies] do a great job of packing the paint ... and they close out hard. It's daily routine of practising different shots.
"They're the same shots we had in the first three or four games ... they just dropped tonight. It's definitely a good feeling when you see some go in."
If the Spurs win the series against the Grizzlies, they will move on to a Western Conference semi-finals clash against the Houston Rockets.
Mills' $12 million contract with the Spurs expires at the end of this season. The 28-year-old three-time Olympian has put off negotiations until after his bid for another championship.
But star performances in the play-offs will boost his earning potential with the former Marist College student expected to land a massive pay rise.
The Spurs will hope to beat the Grizzlies in game six on Friday morning to advance to the next stage of the play-offs.
"I think the energy we all brought off the bench is what we need to lift the pressure off [Kawai Leonard and LaMarcus Aldridge]," Mills said.
"They're doing a hell of a job. They're busting their behind to help the team but we need to lift our weight as well. What we did as a bench group tonight is what we need."
Have a game, bala, have a game!
20 points for @Patty_Mills tonight and a monster fourth quarter! pic.twitter.com/r20xEKhfVY
??? San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) April 26, 2017
THIS GUY RIGHT NOW ???? pic.twitter.com/jbAXIDQiqw
??? Cayleigh Griffin (@cayleighgriffin) April 26, 2017
Patty knocks down his fourth three of the night and we're up 109-97 with 3:48 to play! #GOSPURSGO pic.twitter.com/QEhEzde8hl
??? San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) April 26, 2017
