CLEVELAND – Don't be surprised to start seeing more of Gigi Datome in the Detroit Pistons' rotation.

The Pistons like what they've been seeing from the former Italian League Most Valuable Player, who is in his first NBA season.

After scoring nine points in Saturday's loss to the Houston Rockets, Datome chipped in a career-high 13 Monday night as the Pistons hammered the Cleveland Cavaliers 115-92 at Quicken Loans Arena.

Granted, 11 came in the fourth quarter when the Pistons had pretty much taken control of the game.

But he scored them in a variety of ways rather than just with outside shooting, which made him a star in Italy.

"Gigi is more than a shooter," said coach Maurice Cheeks. "Everybody thinks he's just a guy who can spread the floor and makes 3s. He's a little tougher than what we've been thinking. As he gets more time out on the floor and get used to defending NBA players, he'll get better at it."

Datome's only basket of the first half came on a running jumper that gave the Pistons a 35-21 lead early in the second quarter.

In the fourth, he scored on a jump shot, dunk, tip-in, 3-pointer and layup. That kind of versatility could lead to more playing time as long as Datome isn't a defensive liability.

His 18 minutes were also a career high.

"He's another player that can stretch the floor," said Josh Smith, who led the Pistons with 25 points vs. Cleveland. "He can shoot the 3. He has a good flow to the game. He's sneaky athletically. He can get to the paint and be effective as well.

"Being able to add somebody like him to our arsenal just gives us extra depth."

Against the Cavs, Datome was 6-for-13 shooting. That included 1 of 5 from behind the 3-point line. He also had four rebounds – all on the offensive end, second only to Andre Drummond's five – while getting two of the Pistons' 11 steals.

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