Patty Mills' 3-ball gives Nets a dynamic third scoring option 

Whenever the Nets find a third scorer to complement stars Kevin Durant and James Harden, it makes them a very tough team to beat. But the performance they got from Patty Mills Sunday night in Oklahoma City took everything to a new level.

Mills scored a career-high 29 points on a night when he delivered otherworldly 9-for-12 shooting from three-point range. He almost matched Durant’s 33 points, and Mills hit back-to-back threes late in the fourth quarter after the Thunder pulled within 12 points. That was the backbreaker that sent the Nets to a 24-point win to complete a 5-1 road trip.

"It’s everything to us," Durant said of the importance of finding a third scorer on a game-to-game basis. "Patty missed a few shots the last couple of games, so we knew he was due for a big night. His work ethic is top of the line, so it was a matter of time before he started knocking some of those down, and he got it going. That’s what we need. Our second unit did a great job."

The Nets returned home to face Durant’s former Golden State team Tuesday night at Barclays Center, and it was anticipated Mills’ role might grow because starting guard Joe Harris was ruled out with a left ankle sprain suffered at Oklahoma City. In fact, Mills started the second half against the Thunder after Harris was injured in the second quarter.

Mills was asked about playing a larger role in the event Harris was unavailable. "I think that’s the beauty of what we have here," Mills said. "We’re obviously so deep, and there’s a lot of people we have that can fill roles and fill shoes. I think [we’re] able to protect the group in the sense of understanding that everyone’s got a piece to play here. I think everyone is engaged and able to step up and fill those minutes."

In addition to Mills’ contribution, the Nets also got 16 points from LaMarcus Aldridge off the bench against the Thunder. They improved to 7-1 when they get double-digit scoring from Aldridge, a seven-time All-Star who has adjusted to a bench role with the Nets at the age of 36.

Mills played long stretches of his career together with Aldridge in Portland and San Antonio, so Aldridge’s sizzling 58.6% shooting is something he has seen before. "It’s not surprised me with how he’s able to play and shoot the ball," Mills said. "What’s surprised me is how professional he’s been in being able to make the most of his opportunities coming off the bench.

"Obviously, that’s new for him. But he’s been such a pro that way and has still been able to find his ways of impacting the game. We obviously do well as a team when he does get it going. This is new for a lot of people on this team, and I think every individual is just finding their ways on how they can make the team better and impact the game."

Mills said the Nets grew significantly as a team on their successful road trip, especially on the offensive end in terms of learning how to play together. So he was looking forward to the challenge presented by a Golden State team with the NBA’s best record at 11-2.

"The first game back at home after a long road trip can be tough," Mills said. "I think the mental game more than anything is probably the deal for us. It being the Warriors and how well they’re playing together as a team is another challenge. Our defense is going to be tested. But it’s a great challenge for us to see where we’re at and where we need to get to."

By Greg Logan

Gregory.Logan@newsday.comGregLogan1

Greg Logan has worked for Newsday since 1982 covering a wide array of sports and events, currently including the Brooklyn Nets beat.