Aussies stumble to finals defeats

AUSTRALIA’S Patty Mills scored 21 points, but it was not enough as the San Antonio Spurs fell again to the reigning NBA champions Golden State Warriors.

The Warriors won 116-101 in Oakland yesterday to take a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven playoff series, with Kevin Durant leading the way with 32 points.

Game 3 will be in San Antonio on Friday and Game 4 on Monday.

Mills’s 21 points was a personal playoff record and a return to form after the struggles he suffered in Game 1.

Mills was again given the difficult defensive task to guard the taller Klay Thompson, who had 31 points including connecting on five of his eight three-point attempts.

In Philadelphia, Ben Simmons and his highflying 76ers crashed back to earth with a 113-103 loss to the Miami Heat in Game 2 of their playoff series.

The 76ers began on a 17-game win streak and appeared set to rally from a 16-point fourthquarter deficit to win. With Simmons pushing the ball and the 76ers’ shooters starting to hit their mark they cut the deficit to two with four minutes to go.

But Heat veteran Dwyane Wade who came off the bench, steadied the Heat and hit clutch baskets.

The Heat’s victory levels the best-of-seven series at 1-1. Simmons flirted with another triple-double with 24 points, eight assists and eight rebounds.