Detroit Pistons 87 LA Lakers 75:Led by their trademark daunting defence and some timely offense from Chauncey Billups, who scored 22 points, the Detroit Pistons turned the NBA Finals upside down with a shocking 87-75 victory over the heavily favoured LA Lakers in Game One.
For the host Lakers, giant center Shaquille O'Neal was at his dominant best with 34 points. Kobe Bryant picked up 25 points but Hollywood's most-liked team was let down by poor performances from the supporting cast.
Detroit's highly-rated defense seemed to unsettle most of the Lakers including future Hall-of-Famers Karl Malone and Gary Payton, who recorded only four and three points respectively.
"I don't know if we could ever defend better. We contested shots, we did an unbelievable job and I think that is what it is going to take," Pistons coach Larry Brown told reporters.
Los Angeles, bidding for a fourth NBA crown in five years, ended a closely contested first-half with a narrow 41-40 lead but the Pistons started to take control early in the third quarter, ending that period with a 64-58 edge.
Detroit's lead was never seriously threatened during the fourth quarter. Forward Rasheed Wallace was the second top scorer for the Pistons with 14 points.
Game Two in the best-of-seven series takes place in Los Angeles on Tuesday night.