Pacers' Miles returns vs. Bucks, Hill, Mahinmi out

Fresh off a crushing defeat at the hands of the divisional rival Chicago Bulls, the Indiana Pacers could use a few extra (preferably healthy) bodies in the lineup when they take on the Milwaukee Bucks on Thursday.

The 18-13 Pacers announced that C.J. Miles will return, while Ian Mahinmi and Jordan Hill are out.

Miles - a 6-foot-6 "point forward" - missed the last two games with a sore lower back. The 11-year pro is averaging 14.6 points while shooting 39.5 percent from 3-point range.

Mahinmi left Wednesday's match due to soreness in his left knee. The 29-year-old Frenchman - who sat out only one game this season - didn't return to the game.

Hill - who joined the Pacers in the offseason - is recovering from a dental procedure he underwent earlier this week.

All three players are integral parts of head coach Frank Vogel's system. Should the trio miss Thursday's contest, Lavoy Allen and the recently-activated Myles Turner will have to hold down the frontcourt fort, with Paul George likely playing some minutes at power forward.