Patty Mills is poised to play a key role for the Brooklyn Nets when they tip-off the new NBA season at the defending champion Milwaukee Bucks.

Five months ago, Kevin Durant’s 3-pointer dramatically tied Game 7 of the Eastern Conference semi-finals against Milwaukee in Brooklyn.

The Bucks went on to dominate overtime, survive Durant’s dominance and beat the Nets.

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A month later, Giannis Antetokounmpo helped Milwaukee celebrate their first NBA title in 50 years.

Antetokounmpo and the Bucks receive their championship rings and raise their title banner on Tuesday, all while turning the page to begin their defence of the title when they host Durant and the Nets on opening night.

Milwaukee’s roster from their six-game victory over the Phoenix Suns in the NBA Finals remains mostly unchanged - losing PJ Tucker but a fit-again Donte DiVincenzo returning.

Brooklyn are healthy but still shorthanded with Kyrie Irving unable to participate in team activities due to being unvaccinated against COVID-19.

Instead they will rely more on the playmaking of James Harden.

They also can now call on the experience of free-agent addition Mills - after his 10-year spell at the San Antonio Spurs included an NBA title - to help fill the production void during Irving’s absence.

Primarily off the bench last season, Boomers ace Mills averaged 10.8 points, 2.4 assists and shot 37.5 per cent from 3-point range.

His input during Irving’s absence could be invaluable, with the Nets among the favourites to win it all - with or without their All-Star guard.

“What we have on paper is cool but we’ve still got to get out in between the lines and play,” Durant said.

Meanwhile, the Golden State Warriors visit the Los Angeles Lakers on opening night in a duel of the only Western Conference franchises to win NBA titles since 2014.

The revamped Lakers have retained just three players from last season’s roster with LeBron James and Anthony Davis now surrounded by veteran stars Russell Westbrook, Carmelo Anthony, DeAndre Jordan, Rajon Rondo and Dwight Howard.

While James expects some hiccups he expects the changes to pay off.

“I think nothing is worth having if it’s not worth working for,” he said.

The Warriors return with a renewed belief as All-Star guard Klay Thompson gets closer to a comeback after two seasons lost through injury and big man James Wiseman expected back from a torn meniscus in his knee.

With Stephen Curry, the league’s reigning scoring champion, running the show the Warriors are ready to contend again.