DETROIT -- A Michigan prosecutor is expected to announce charges Wednesday in connection with a brawl at a Nov. 19 Indiana Pacers-Detroit Pistons game, but some Detroit media outlets are already reporting that five Pacers will face misdemeanor charges.

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Five Indiana Pacers players and five Detroit Pistons fans were expected to be charged with assault according to reports citing unidentified sources in Wednesday editions of the Detroit Free Press and The Detroit News and a Tuesday report on Detroit TV station WDIV.

All charges are expected to be for misdemeanor assault and battery -- except for one count of felony assault against a fan accused of throwing a chair -- according to the Detroit reports.

The Detroit reports said Pacers player Jermaine O'Neal was expected to face two counts of misdemeanor assault and battery, while teammates Ron Artest, David Harrison, Stephen Jackson and Anthony Johnson were expected to face one count each.

"I'm not going to confirm anything," Oakland County Prosecutor David Gorcyca told The Associated Press on Tuesday night. He said he would not comment until 2 p.m. Wednesday, when he had scheduled a news conference to announce the charges.

RTV6 and TheIndyChannel.com will show the 2 p.m. press conference live.

Attorney James W. Burdick, who represents Jackson, said Wednesday that it would be "unfair and inappropriate" to charge his client, who is seen in TV footage punching fans in the stands.

"The problem is this: a few crazed drunken fans who created a chaotic situation," Burdick said. "Steve responded in a way that he thought was necessary to protect himself and protect his friends."

According to the Detroit reports, five fans were expected to face misdemeanor assault and battery charges.

One fan could face a second count of assault and battery for throwing a plastic cup that sparked the Nov. 19 brawl; another was also expected to face a felony assault charge on accusations that he threw a chair into the crowd, the Detroit reports said.

Assault and battery carries a maximum penalty of 93 days in jail and a fine of up to $500. Felonious assault carries up to four years' imprisonment.

WDIV reported that charges for fans will include two counts of misdemeanor assault and battery for John Green, the West Bloomfield, Mich., season-ticket holder accused of throwing a cup that police say started the brawl.

WDIV also reported the charges will include one count of felony assault and one count of misdemeanor assault and battery for Bryant Jackson, a 35-year-old season ticket holder from Mundy Township, Mich., who is accused of throwing a chair into the crowd; one count of misdemeanor assault and battery for David Wallace, the brother of Detroit Piston Ben Wallace who was identified in a videotape of the brawl; and one count of misdemeanor assault and battery charges for two other fans who were not named.

Auburn Hills, Mich., police wrapped up their investigation on Friday and handed their findings over to Gorcyca on Monday.

The fight among spectators and players broke out after an on-court dispute over a foul during the game at the Palace of Auburn Hills on Nov. 19. A fan hurled a drink at Indiana's Ron Artest, who then charged into the stands. Other Pacers players and fans joined the melee. Several people, including a police officer, were hit with a chair that was thrown.

Gorcyca has said players and fans could be charged with misdemeanor assault and battery. The only possible felony charge under consideration would be against whoever threw the chair.

Artest was suspended without pay for the rest of the season by the NBA. Jackson was suspended for 30 games, and O'Neal for 25. Pacers guard Anthony Johnson got five games. Four players were suspended for a game apiece: Indiana's Reggie Miller and Detroit's Chauncey Billups, Elden Campbell and Derrick Coleman.

RTV6 and TheIndyChannel.com will show a prosecutor's announcement of the charges live Wednesday at 2 p.m.