"They seemed to have their legs up under them a lot better, so the rest today really helped," Curry said. "Rasheed (Wallace) and Rip (Hamilton) are still getting in better and better shape."

Hamilton and Wallace, who have been injured this season, were among the Pistons whose play set the tone in the team's largest margin of victory this season.

Detroit had six scorers in double figures, led by Hamilton's 22 points. Wallace had a solid game as well with 14 points, 12 rebounds and four assists to go with two blocked shots.

The win was Detroit's second in a row as the Pistons (38-40) try to keep pace with the Chicago Bulls (38-40) in their battle for the No. 7 spot in the East. Not only was the margin decisive, but even more impressive was the balance Detroit showed at both ends of the floor.

"Guys are understanding that now that we have everybody healthy," Curry said, "they understand the good balance of playing out on the perimeter, running pick and rolls, running Rip off picks and also going into the post."

Even before the blowout got started, the Pistons seemed to have a bit more bounce. The usual pregame dance Wallace does while surrounded by the Pistons' backups was even more over the top than usual, when he did a back spin on the Madison Square Garden floor.

Before the opening tipoff, players usually work on jumpers and layups. On Wednesday, the Pistons, especially Jason Maxiell, attempted acrobatic, highlight reel dunks.

Meanwhile, the Knicks (30-49) looked sluggish from the start, which was in part due to them playing at Chicago the previous night.

"We were drained," said Knicks forward and Benton Harbor native Wilson Chandler, who had 23 points. "We didn't have any energy. They played how they were supposed to, and we didn't."

Detroit opened the game with a 10-0 run that was capped off by an uncontested Tayshaun Prince dunk.

The Knicks called a time-out, but that offered only a temporary slowdown to a game that quickly got out of hand. Detroit led by as many as 29 points in the first half, which ended with the Pistons holding on to a comfortable 63-39 lead. The 63 points tied the team's season high for the first half.

"Obviously, we didn't compete the first half," Knicks coach Mike D'Antoni said.

While there are several factors that contributed to Detroit's dominant performance, players said not having a morning shoot-around was among the biggest.

"It meant a lot, just so we could get our legs, keep our legs and just come out real fresh," Hamilton said. "It really showed tonight."

The Pistons, known for blowing their share of big leads in past games, refused to allow the Knicks to get into any kind of flow.

While the starters set the tone, Detroit's bench contributed, with every Piston scoring except rookie Walter Sharpe.

It was the kind of performance Detroit will need if it is going to make any kind of noise in the playoffs.

"Whoever is going to play them in the playoffs is going to have some trouble," D'Antoni said. "They're big. They're strong. They run. And our guys got overwhelmed."