PISTONS 116, CAVALIERS 77: Brandon Knight scored a career-high 28 points on 11-of-12 shooting and Detroit hammered Cleveland for its biggest win this season.

Knight made his first six shots and added seven assists. His first miss was on a 3-pointer midway through the third quarter, but by then the Pistons’ lead was 75-38.

Knight’s dunk just before the third-quarter buzzer extended the lead to 100-50, the largest of the game.

The Pistons scored the first 16 points of the third quarter to turn a 23-point halftime lead into a 77-38 rout before a 3-pointer from Anthony Parker finally broke the Cavs’ drought 4 1/2 minutes into the quarter.

Tristan Thompson had 12 points and 13 rebounds and Omri Casspi had 11 points for the Cavs, who have lost 14 of their last 17. The 39-point loss matches their worst this season.

Tayshaun Prince had 15 points and little-used Charlie Villanueva had 10 points and eight rebounds for the Pistons, who won for just the second time in their last seven games.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Small forward Alonzo Gee was a late scratch from the Cavs’ starting lineup with a sprained ankle. … Rookie Kyrie Irving endured his most strenuous day since being shut down with a sprained right shoulder and could return for Wednesday’s home game against the 76ers. … The Pistons’ franchise record for largest margin of victory is 52 points.