Indiana Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle is a basketball lifer. He's played with Boston Celtics legends like Larry Bird. When Carlisle compliments a player, it comes from a genuine place. After Wednesday's 133-119 victory over the Detroit Pistons, the veteran head coach admired a Pacers star for his "stellar" performance.

Although the Pacers soundly beat the Pistons, they showed some physicality in the second quarter. Pistons center Isaiah Stewart committed a flagrant two-foul on Pacers backup center Thomas Bryant, earning the envelope-pushing role player a rejection.

The Pistons closed to within 111-105 in the fourth quarter before the Pacers went on a 9-2 run.

Pascal Siakam had a season high 37 points, Tyrese Haliburton added 30 and the host Indiana Pacers fought off a strong challenge to defeat the Detroit Pistons 133-119 Wednesday night in Indianapolis.

NBA – National Basketball Association Last Night Indiana Pacers 133, Detroit Pistons 119 Boston Celtics 122, Chicago Bulls 100 Pacers 133, Pistons 119 – Siakam scores 37, Haliburton adds 30 to lead Pa

The Pacers' All-Star pairing of Pascal Siakam (37 points) and Tyrese Haliburton (30 points) set an early tone.

The Indiana Pacers are back home when the Detroit Pistons visit. Tempers flared just a little when these teams met two weeks ago.

Pascal Siakam scored 37 points, Tyrese Haliburton had 30 points and eight assists, and the Indiana Pacers beat the Detroit Pistons 133-119 on Wednesday night.

Indiana's early hot streak was too much for a physical Pistons team, though they stayed with the Pacers in a 133-119 road loss.

Pascal Siakam scored 37 points, Tyrese Haliburton had 30 points and eight assists, and the Indiana Pacers beat the Detroit Pistons 133-119 on Wednesday night.

The pecking order at the top of the league has been set for a while (as evidenced by very little movement at the top of this week's Power Rankings), but the deadline provides a quick shot of adrenaline and variety,