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Mavs may be without their best shooting guard tonight

In the defeat against the actual champions; Monta Ellis (19.1 points per game) injured his calf muscle because of which he will probably have to end his 237 playing row

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Over the summer, events completely decided the things for Indiana Pacers who remained without two key back players before the start of the season, Lance Stephenson (Hornets) and Paul George (injury), and since in the first few months injuries weren't avoiding the rest of the roster, the scores weren't promising. Still, by narrowing down the absence list, Frank Vogel's boys could slowly climb on the table, and they were especially (shot-wise) impressive recently when out of 15 matches they won 13, including six in a row, which got them back into the playoff game.

The only win in that period came on Thursday were they crushed the Wizards in overtime, and on Friday they were beaten in Milwaukee by 111-107. Unlike the Washington match, this time George Hill didn't manage to save them. He had an opportunity for a draw, but his three-pointer wasn't precise enough.

- It was probably the best shot of the day but with the worst outcome - said Hill who ended up at 24 points (7-for-12) and five assists.

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The Pacers might not have needed Hill's new heroics in the finals if they had done a better job in the first part in which they've allowed Bucks a total of 73.7% of shots, and Ersan Ilyasova (17) himself scored two points more than their whole team (15). Still, Pacers are coming back, and in the last six minutes they were practically equal (92-94), but in the finals they lost.

- There's no justification, I thought we played with energy, but we didn't enter the match well. You can't give 23 points to your opponent and expect to win. I'm proud with the feistiness we've shown, but we can't allow ourselves to enter matches like that - pointed out coach Vogel.

Next to Hill, C. J. Miles was the most effective with 26 points (7-for-14), while C. J. Watson added another 23 (4-for-9). We have to mention that coach Vogel couldn't have counted on veteran David West who remained out due to an illness.

Their bench key man, Rodney Stuckey, was also out because of a knee injury (missed the last three matches). It's not known whether he will perform today, and in case that doesn't happen, Hill will probably take the offensive responsibility (in the last eight matches his score was 22.3 points).

Although they're almost certain regarding the playoffs, Dallas Mavericks are not trouble-less. Their shape is not good, and neither is their offense efficiency. To make things worse, on Friday they lost the match in San Antonio as well as their first shot Monta Ellis who left the court because of a calf injury during the first half. Although there is no information that the back will perform tonight, it would be sad to see him end his 237-playing game run.

- I didn't see exactly what happened. I looked at him and see that he was struggling. I asked him what happened, but he didn't say anything, and that's not a good sign. We have to wait what will the doctors say and see how will he feel tomorrow - commented Dirk Nowitzki who in the 94-76 defeat remained at only seven points and 3-for-9 shots from the floor.

If Ellis really doesn't play today, Rajon Rondo and Devin Harris, together with the German, will have to pull the match in back positions. Especially if J. J. Barea doesn't come back.