It did not take long for things to get chippy between the Detroit Pistons and Indiana Pacers on Wednesday night. Following their 133-119 loss on the road, J.B. Bickerstaff shared his thoughts on one of the biggest storylines from this matchup.

Bickerstaff, who picked up a technical in Wednesday night’s loss, accused the Pacers of saying things that went beyond the spirit of competition.

The Cavs gave the Pistons a dose of J.B. Bickerstaff's defensive medicine, yet Cleveland needs to consistently meet a standard its old coach set on D.

CLEVELAND, Ohio — Pistons coach J.B. Bickerstaff strolls the court at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse like he’s running for office. Look one way, shake hands. Look another, big hug. Now look alive, because Cavs guard Darius Garland is beelining toward his old coach. They meet; they; embrace; they playfully shove each other.

However, Stewart still has the propensity to let physical play get the best of him, and he held nothing back against the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday night. These two teams have no love lost between them this season, harkening back to their past rivalry filled with fights and lots of talk.

After watching his backup big man get ejected from the Piston-Pacers game, JB Bickerstaff explains what happened with Isaiah Stewart.

For the second time this season, coach J.B. Bickerstaff left Cleveland with a defeat, as the Pistons lost, 110-91.

Ahead of his second return to Cleveland, coach J.B. Bickerstaff is thriving at the helm of the Pistons' rebuilding project.

Franz Wagner scored 25 of his 32 points in the fourth quarter, Paolo Banchero had 32 points, nine rebounds and seven assists, and the Orlando Magic snapped a five-game losing streak by beating the Detroit Pistons 121-113.

Detroit Pistons forward Tobias Harris, left, Cleveland Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen, center top, and Pistons' Cade Cunningham (2) reach for a rebound in the first half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, Jan. 27, 2025, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki) AP

The postseason will be the true test, but the Cavs have looked like a different team. So do the Pistons. Both teams should be delighted.

Frontcourt starters P.J. Washington and Daniel Gafford made major contributions as the Mavs scored 80 second-half points yet barely emerged with a victory. Washington supplied 25 points, 14 rebounds and eight assists, while Gafford made all nine of his field-goal attempts en route to 22 points, 12 rebounds, four blocks and three assists.