DETROIT - Head coach Nate McMillan said he would consider making lineup changes after watching the Indiana Pacers' lackluster 107-83 loss to the Detroit Pistons on Tuesday night.
Indiana (19-15) unraveled early, falling behind by 23 points less than 12 minutes into the game. It continued a recent trend for the Pacers - falling behind early. McMillan has grown weary of that trend, and with the Pacers hosting the Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday night, McMillan would not rule out changing the lineup, or adjusting minutes, in an effort to solve the Pacers' sluggish starts.
"We might have to look at some changes," said McMillan after the game. "We certainly have to be better, whichever group we have out there. Teams are just starting off to red hot against us. We're not getting stops."
Asked again about possible lineup changes, McMillan said, "We always can look at that. We're not ruling that out."
The Pacers were in Detroit physically on Tuesday. But where were they mentally? They looked like they were still thinking about Christmas when the game began. Slow starts have become a habit for the Pacers, but this latest episode was absurd.
Twelve minutes into the game, forward Tobias Harris already had 21 points for the Detroit Pistons, who led the Pacers, 40-19. It was bitterly cold outside Little Caesars Arena, but the Pacers were getting flamed on the court.
The only negative for the Pistons was that starting point guard Reggie Jackson (13 assists) was helped off the court in the third quarter with a leg injury and did not return.
McMillan was clearly disappointed with the Pacers' focus, after watching them lose to the Pistons (19-14) for the third time in four meetings. The Pacers are no longer viewed us underdogs. Opponents are taking them seriously, and Detroit took the game to the Pacers from the opening tip.
"Teams are going to come in ready for us," said McMillan. "We've had some success early this season. They're looking at our record.
"Teams are starting off red hot against us. The points look like they're coming fairly easy.
"I thought we was ready to go. Seemed like we're still celebrating here. We've got to put this behind us and get ready for tomorrow night."
Barring injury, the Pacers starting lineup all season has been Bojan Bogdanovic and Thaddeus Young at forward, Myles Turner at center, and Darren Collison and Oladipo at guard.
Turner said he was certain that the current starting lineup could solve the issues of slow starts. But he also understood was McMillan was searching for answers.
"I don't think it's a lack of effort, I don't think it's guys not playing hard," said Turner. "We to go out and play hard every night. Coach is in the position that he's in to make decisions. That's on him. I like the way our lineup has played this season. I like the way we play and compete. But we do have to get off to better starts."
Harris (30 points) led the Pistons, along with center Andre Drummond (21 points, 18 rebounds), who had another huge night against the Pacers. Victor Oladipo led the Pacers with just 13 points.
► BOX SCORE: Pistons 107, Pacers 83
► Do you approve of these jerseys?
► Why he's 'Good Lance' here but nowhere else
Here are three takeaways from a game that got out of hand early.
1. Physical players have their way against the Pacers
Drummond is a handful for any opponent, but he feasted against the Pacers this season, leading them to three victories in four meetings. Pacers center Myles Turner picked up two quick fouls trying to deal with Drummond on Tuesday, setting the stage for another long. Remember how Oklahoma City center Steven Adams dominated against the Pacers earlier this month? Remember DeMarcus Cousins of the New Orleans Pelicans taking over a game against Indiana earlier this season? Domantas Sabonis is Indiana's most physical inside defender, but the Pacers don't have enough size and muscle to deter premier big men.
2. The Pistons would be a difficult playoff matchup for the Pacers
Talking about possible playoff matchup is looking way ahead. But the Pistons took the season series from the Pacers, 3-1, and Indiana needed a huge comeback to secure that lone victory. For the better part of four games, Detroit severely outplayed the Pacers. And it was not just inside. Detroit point guards Jackson and Ish Smith penetrated effectively against the Pacers and broke down their defense. Detroit also moved the ball well and hurt the Pacers outside shooting. Meanwhile, the Pacers struggled to get fast-break opportunities against Detroit, showing why the Pistons are one of the NBA's best at transition defense. When the Pacers can't play up-tempo, they are much easier to defend. The Pistons have the right formula and the right personnel to give the Pacers a hard time. If they were to meet in a playoff series, the matchup would seem to favor Detroit, regardless of the records.
3. If McMillan does make a lineup change, it will be done with defense in mind.
The Pacers have managed to rally from huge deficits to win games this season, showing their competitiveness. But the Pacers' starting lineup needs to do a better job setting the tone, particularly on the defensive end. Some of the Pistons' early baskets were embarrassingly easy. Their shooters were wide open. There was little communication defensively. Asking the bench to overcome slow starts every night is asking too much. Darren Collison (five points) and Thaddeus Young ( five points) both struggled on Tuesday, and that has not happened often. But collectively, the Pacers' starters need to pick it up at the start of games, or the trend of slow starts will continue.
Three things to know about Dallas Mavericks (10-25) at Pacers, Wednesday 7 p.m. at Bankers Life Fieldhouse:
1. Dallas is coming off a 98-93 home victory over Toronto on Tuesday.
2. Mavericks point guard Dennis Smith Jr. is one of the NBA's most talented rookies.
3. The Mavericks are coached by former Pacers coach Rick Carlisle
Follow IndyStar sports writer Clifton Brown on Twitter @CliftonGBrown