Bodog Beat

The Detroit Pistons held LeBron James to 10 points in beating the Cleveland Cavaliers 79-76 in the opening game of the NBA's Eastern Conference finals on Monday night in Auburn Hills, Mich.

Richard Hamilton scored 24 points to lead the Pistons, who took the lead for good at the Palace on Chauncey Billups' three-pointer with 1:52 left. It was the sixth lead change in a two-minute span.

Despite the loss, bettors who noticed the Cavaliers were 4-1 against the point spread on the road in the playoffs were able to cash in on Cleveland. The Cavs covered the 7-point spread while the Pistons paid out at -360 straight up (meaning a winning bet of $360 on the moneyline would yield a $100 profit).

Zydrunas Ilgauskas and Donyell Marshall missed shots for Cleveland in the final 15 seconds. James, who averaged 28.7 points over his first 23 career playoff games, was held scoreless for the final 6:54 and hit only 5 of 15 shots in the game. Ilgauskas led the Cavaliers with 22 points and 13 rebounds.

Game 2 in the best-of-seven series is scheduled for Thursday in Detroit.

For complete NBA playoff odds, visit the Bodog Sportsbook.

Tuesday's NBA Playoff Schedule

• 9 p.m. ET: Utah Jazz at San Antonio Spurs, Game 2 (ESPN) - Spurs lead series 1-0 and are favored by 6.5 points. In-game wagering is available on BodogLIVE.

PHOTO: Chauncey Billups hit the go-ahead basket for the Pistons in Game 1. (AI Wire photo)