NBA Playoffs: Pistons Grind Out 1-0 Lead over Cavs

LeBron James scored a playoff career-low 10 points.

Salem-News.com SPORTS

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. - Chauncey Billups lived up to his nickname, scoring 10 of his 13 points in the fourth quarter, including a go-ahead 3-pointer with 1:52 left to give his Pistons a 79-76 Game 1 win over the visiting Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference Finals on Monday.

After Mr. Big Shot's trey put Detroit up by a pair, neither team scored until he split a pair of free throws with 2.4 seconds left.

Anderson Varejao's full-court heave at the horn did not come close.

On Cleveland's final possession, LeBron James drove the lane and kicked to a wide-open Donyell Marshall in the corner, but the 13-year veteran clanged what would have been a lead-changing trifecta off the back of the rim with 5.9 ticks left.

James scored a playoff career-low 10 points and added 10 rebounds and nine assists.

Richard Hamilton scored a game-high 24 points for the Pistons, while Zydrunas Ilgauskas led the Cavaliers with 22 points and 13 rebounds.

Detroit will look for a 2-0 series lead in Game 2 on Thursday at 8:00 PM ET on TNT.

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