It's been a long time coming for Ian Mahinmi and Monta Ellis. Eight years for Mahinmi and 10 for Ellis, in fact, to get with a team that values their assets and surrounds them with players who try to bring out their best.
The payoff for their patience – as if they had a choice – was obvious in the 96-83 victory over Miami at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on Friday, when the Pacers proved they can beat a good team while shooting poorly from the 3-point line.
Mahinmi, a regular starter for the first time in his ninth NBA season, had what probably stands as the best game of his career.