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Australian star Patty Mills continued his successful return from injury as reigning NBA champions San Antonio edged New Orleans 95-93 in an overtime thriller.
Manu Ginobili sank the last of his 26 points on a layup with 24 seconds remaining to give the Spurs victory on Wednesday.
San Antonio improved to 20-14 while the Pelicans fell to 16-16.
Mills made his return this week after being sidelined for six weeks due to shoulder surgery and played over 28 minutes, scoring seven points and registering three assists, one steal and two rebounds.
Mills’ compatriot Matthew Dellavedova scored 11 points, four assists and four rebounds in Cleveland’s 96-80 win over Milwaukee.
Melbourne-born guard Kyrie Irving, in only his second game back from injury for the Cavaliers, scored 25 points for the Cavs who are missing LeBron James and Kevin Love with injuries.
“We certainly fought,” Cavaliers coach David Blatt said.
“Obviously we are short-handed. That is what happened.”
Meanwhile, Reigning NBA Most Valuable Player Kevin Durant scored 44 points in his return after missing six games, powering the Oklahoma City Thunder over visiting Phoenix 137-134 in overtime.
Durant had been sidelined by a sprained right ankle suffered in a loss two weeks ago at Golden State.
“I’m glad I’m out here playing. I love this game so much it was killing me to watch from the sidelines,” said Durant, who hit 13-of-23 shots, six from behind the arc and all 12 free throws in 40 minutes.
“I just wanted to come out here and give my teammates an extra punch. I’m glad we came out with a W.”
The superstar playmaker missed the Thunder’s first 17 games of the season following surgery on his right foot, but Oklahoma City has gone 8-2 with Durant in the lineup and improved to 16-17 this season with the victory.
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