Pacers forward Aaron Nesmith's return from a left ankle sprain was a reminder of how easily he fits in the Pacers' style of play.

Pacers forward Aaron Nesmith scored nine points in nine minutes in his return from a left ankle sprain in the Pacers 111-100 win over the Pistons.

Amid a 4-6 stretch over their last ten games, it is very apparent that the Golden State Warriors, as they are currently built, will not be able to get past the first round of the NBA playoffs, if they even make it that far. They traded for guard Dennis Schroder but haven't improved much, but are still linked to several trade targets.

Pacers: Aaron Nesmith (left ankle sprain) returned after missing 2 1/2 months and Haliburton (groin) was back after sitting out Indiana’s last game. Nesmith started with Bennedict Mathurin suspended for bumping official Natalie Sago in Tuesday’s loss to Cleveland.

Myles Turner scored 28 points, Pascal Siakam added 26 and the Indiana Pacers beat the Detroit Pistons 111-100 on Thursday night.

Pascal Siakam ... Mathurin (20), Siakam (19) led them in scoring. They’ve won three in a row, nine of 12. With games vs the Bulls and Warriors at home this week — and Nesmith nearing a return.

Haliburton (23), Mathurin (20), Siakam (19) led them in scoring. They’ve won three in a row, nine of 12. With games vs the Bulls and Warriors at home this week — and Nesmith nearing a return.

Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle said Saturday that Nesmith (ankle) has been getting in some 5-on-5 work but will still need time to regain conditioning, Dustin Dopirak of The Indianapolis Star ...