SLAM DUNKS. . .

With so many teams ravaged by injuries, the Pacers have used just three different starting lineups in their first 36 games. . . . There was some doubt as to which team got the better of the trade e when the Warriors shipped Monta Ellis is to the Bucks in 2012 for Andrew Bogut. But as Warriors coach Mark Jackson put it, “We knew it. We knew he was a top-five center in this league.” But due to injuries, Bogut hadn’t played close to a full season since 2009-10. So far, he’s missed one game, due to

a suspension, while th the Bucks let Ellis leave for Dallas last s summer as a free

agent. Portland’s Da Damian Lillard gets it. After scoring a career-high 41 points, including a team-record 26 in the fourth quarter, quar when his team outscored the King Kings, 46-43, but still lost the game, 123-119, Lillard w was hardly pleased with the outcome. “I ju just didn’t want to lo lose the game,” he sa said. How many other seco second-year players woul would have made that comm comment after a career night? We’re thinking not very many. The Kings’ highly regarded rookie

Ben McLemore doesn’t turn 20 for another month, so his lack of maturity might be something of an issue, judging from the way the Kings tried to put a positive spin on his recent benching. “This is not a demotion for Ben McLemore,” coach Mike Malone said. “This is not us losing confidence or faith in him. I wanted to put him in a position where maybe he could have more success coming off the bench.” McLemore sounds like he’s already hit the rookie wall, not even halfway into the season. “Man it’s a long season, 82 games,” he said. “Coming from college to now is a big difference.” That’s what they all say.