Candace Buckner

candace.buckner@indystar.com

DALLAS – This time last year, the Indiana Pacers were basketball disciples traveling to Taipei, Taiwan, chosen to spread the good word of the NBA Global Games while trying to have a meaningful training camp. Solomon Hill was the rookie, seen and not heard as the last wing on the depth chart that did not need him.

Snap back to present time and the differences are immense. The Pacers have stayed stateside, more consumed with their own ambiguity than playing as ambassadors. And since circumstances have forced Hill to scale the depths of the roster, he will be expected to join a second unit in search of its identity.

So a night like Sunday inside American Airlines Center mattered for the 2014-15 Pacers. Though the Dallas Mavericks closed out with the 106-98 win, Indiana found opportunities to build up the bench.

Though some reserves played unfamiliar roles – Donald Sloan and Lavoy Allen started the game while rookie Shayne Whittington got thrown into the second half as a stretch four – and the rotations looked like the bizarro regular-season version, the bench played as cohesive as it has been through three preseason games.

"I think we played better today," Hill said about the second unit. "The outcome wasn't what we wanted it to be but I think that's what preseason is for, just trying to build, trying to learn from each other, trying to get used to each other's tendencies."

The key bench players remained on the floor through a competitive second half, scoring 54 points and holding a five-point lead over the Mavericks into the fourth quarter. Backup point guard C.J. Watson led the second unit through a little less than 26 minutes and contributed 16 points and five assists in his first preseason appearance. Also, Hill – now sporting a wooly beard in his second year as a professional – settled in after a rough start to the preseason. During the first tests against Minnesota and Orlando, Hill played like a man hurrying through the offense. His jump shot betrayed him as he made just 2 of 9 shots through the two games.

However on Sunday, Hill played 22 minutes, 16 seconds and scored seven points (better with a 2-of-5 shooting clip) while pulling down seven defensive rebounds.

"I think Solomon's going to be a big part of what we're doing this year," Pacers coach Frank Vogel said. "With Shayne, we were trying to get him some minutes, get his feet wet. But Solomon Hill is likely going to be in the rotation for us, so I'm trying to get him as many minutes now to help him learn, help him grow."

More questions have emerged through three exhibition games than answers. Can Chris Copeland provide substantial production from the small forward position? Where does Damjan Rudež fit? And who exactly will provide the scoring in this second unit? However, Hill's status is firm. The Pacers need him.

"There's a huge difference when you're deep at a certain position and you're sliding down the depth chart," Hill said about the distinction between his first training camp and this year. "Now it's like I'm going to be a part of what we're doing this year. … I just got to make sure everything counts when I step on to the floor."

The Sunday game does not count but suspend this reality for a second and note Hill's positive impact like how he drew a foul with 10 minutes remaining in the game and made his shots to pull the Pacers ahead 77-74. And while his teammates mostly took care of the scoring load, hitting 53.3 percent in the final quarter, Hill pulled down three of his rebounds. Hill's seven boards led the second unit, although Allen had eight but started in place of Roy Hibbert.

Unlike a year ago when Hill was the only rookie and pulling his weight on the East's best regular-season roster, he now has an important role to fulfill with a team still undefined. Sunday was a move towards embracing that change.

"I felt totally comfortable today," Hill said, "just being out there."

Follow Star reporter Candace Buckner on Twitter: @CandaceDBuckner.