Mills scores 26 starting for Parker, Spurs beat Mavs 109-100 to close in on West's top seed

Published September 18, 2015

Dallas Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki (41) shoots against San Antonio Spurs center Tiago Splitter during the first half an NBA basketball game Thursday, April 10, 2014, in Dallas. (AP Photo/LM Otero) (The Associated Press)

San Antonio Spurs forward Kawhi Leonard (2) drives to the basket past Dallas Mavericks guard Monta Ellis (11) during the first half an NBA basketball game Thursday, April 10, 2014, in Dallas. (AP Photo/LM Otero) (The Associated Press)

Patty Mills scored 26 points starting in place of Tony Parker and the San Antonio Spurs moved to the brink of the top seed in the Western Conference with a 109-100 victory over the Dallas Mavericks on Thursday night.

Making his second start of the season and seventh of his career with Parker nursing a bad back, Mills had 11 points and a pair of steals in the third quarter when the Spurs turned a two-point deficit into an 11-point lead.

The Spurs beat the Mavericks for the ninth straight time in the regular season, a streak that has lasted more than two years.

Tim Duncan had 20 points and 15 rebounds after leaving briefly in the first quarter because of a hyperextended right knee. Kawhi Leonard added 16 points, a career-high 16 rebounds and five assists.

Monta Ellis led Dallas with 24 points and Dirk Nowitzki had 19.

URL

https://www.foxnews.com/sports/mills-scores-26-starting-for-parker-spurs-beat-mavs-109-100-to-close-in-on-wests-top-seed