Aussie Patty Mills Step Up Once Again as Spurs Beat Mavericks, 109-100 [PHOTOS]

No Frenchman, no problem for the San Antonio Spurs as an Australian once again stepped up to the plate and played one of his best games of the NBA season as the Spurs beat Texas rivals Dallas Mavericks, 109-100 on Thursday night.

In lieu of France's Tony Parker, who was out of commisision again because of back trouble, Australia's Patty Mills started and scored 26 points-- more than half coming from behind the arc as he hit 6-of-11 from three.He also added 6 assists and 2 steals.

Despite a scary fall in the first quarter, Tim Duncan finished with 20 points and 15 rebounds for the Spurs, which are now just one win away from homecourt advantage all throughout the playoffs. Kawhi Leonard added 16 markers and a season-high 16 boards.

This was a crucial loss for the Mavericks, which are now tied with the Phoenix Suns (47-31) in 7th place in the Western Conference and just a game ahead of the Memphis Grizzlies (48-32).

Monta Ellis had 24 points and Nowitzki had 19 for Dallas.

View the slideshow for more images from the San Antonio-Dallas game.