Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

It was more than just a Detroit Pistons 117-99 NBA victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers Friday night.

Brandon Knight got the edge over Cleveland’s Kyrie Irving. In the 2011 draft, Irving was taken first and Knight eighth.

This game hardly proved that Knight is a better guard. But it does prove that Knight plays on a better team that is 18-29 while Cleveland is 11-34.

Knight had the edge in assists this particular game, 10 compared to five for Irving. But it helps to have guys you pass the ball to who can score it. The Pistons shot nearly 55 percent from the floor and Cleveland was 39 percent. That kind of shooting for Detroit is going to give somebody a lot of assists.

“I always enjoy playing against Kyrie,” Knight said. “Me and him are good friends. He’s a great competitor, a great player and he’s doing big things for himself and for his team. It’s always good playing Kyrie, great player.”

Knight figures that once new Piston Jose Calderon joins the lineup, he might play off the ball more. Calderon acquired in a trade earlier this week that involved the departure of Tayshaun Prince in a trade, hasn’t joined the team yet because if visa issues.

Knight is slowly developing into the type of steady player the Pistons need every game as a spark to help the team win the close games. But unlike Irving, Knight is starting to get a better supporting cast. Irving is still playing on one of the worst teams in the league. But give Irving credit for blaming himself.

“I take full responsibility for my lackluster play that kind of trickled down to everybody else,” Irving said. “This cannot happen and this will never happen again. I can guarantee that.”