Rick Carlisle rarely rants or stomps his feet on the court. Off it, Detroit's first-year coach doesn't smile or joke around much.
  That's fine with the Pistons, especially because they're winning.
  Detroit entered the weekend tied with Milwaukee for the Central Division lead, which is the first time that has happened this late in the season since 1990, the second year of the franchise's back-to-back championships.
  Team president Joe Dumars, who gave the 41-year-old Carlisle his first head-coaching job, appears to have found the right person to stabilize a situation that has seen five coaches come and go since Chuck Daly left in 1992.
  Carlisle's steady and stoic approach has helped the Pistons navigate the ups and downs of the NBA season.