Pacers' Carlisle: Timberwolves 'one of the best teams on the planet'

The Minnesota Timberwolves received a strong vote of confidence from Rick Carlisle after defeating his Indiana Pacers on Saturday night.

The Pacers head coach explained postgame how there's been a noticeable change not only in the way the Timberwolves are playing this season but also in the atmosphere surrounding the team.

"This is one of the best teams on the planet," Carlisle said. "These guys have really got it going here. The building is alive, the environment is way different than it used to be.

"I take my hat off to (Timberwolves president of basketball operations) Tim Connelly and his operation for everything they've done. The new ownership group ... this is a different feeling place, and they've got some big stars."

The Timberwolves improved to 19-5 with their 127-109 win over the Pacers and are tied with the Boston Celtics for the best record in the NBA. Indiana sits in seventh place in the Eastern Conference at 13-11.