Australian point guard Patty Mills and his San Antonio Spurs are ready for revenge.
The Spurs lost a nail-biting seven-game NBA finals series a year ago to LeBron James' Miami Heat and on Thursday (Friday AEST) the teams meet in game one of what is expected to be another epic final series.
Bookmakers have the Spurs, who also feature Australian forward Aron Baynes, as slim favourites to conquer the Heat.
"We still have a bad taste in our mouths from last year and what went down so we were really determined to get back here and have another chance," Mills, speaking moments after the Spurs' completed their game day shootaround, told AAP.
Game one will be played in San Antonio and Mills described his team's vibe on the game's eve as "focused and determined".
"It's the finals so you wouldn't expect anything less," he said.
"We are very tuned in to the game plan and what we need to do going into tonight's game."
The Spurs were just 20 seconds away from victory last year, but heroics by James and his team of elite veterans stole the NBA Championship away from San Antonio.
Spurs' starting point guard Tony Parker has been plagued by an ankle injury, so Mills, who has been averaging just over 15 minutes a game in the playoffs, may be called on to spend significant time on the court.
Mills is up for whatever role head coach Gregg Popovich calls on him to fill.
"From day one of this season we knew where we wanted to be," Mills said.
"We wanted to be in this position.
"We know what we have to do."
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