Pacers' Monta Ellis: Delivers full stat line in season opener

Ellis contributed 19 points (7-11 FG, 1-2 3Pt, 4-4 FT), seven rebounds, seven assists and three steals across 44 minutes in Wednesday's 130-121 overtime win over the Mavericks.

Analysis:

True to his promise earlier in training camp, first-year Pacers coach Nate McMillan deployed a tight rotation in the season opener that leaned heavily on the starters, with all five players seeing at least 34 minutes. Ellis was the surprising leader in court time for the Pacers and made the most of it, achieving totals in the points, assists, rebounds and steals categories that all exceeded last season's averages. He won't have the benefit of the extra period in most games to pad his stats, but the likelihood that Ellis will continue to stick in a consistent 30-plus minute role under McMillan puts him in good position to match or surpass his numbers from last season.