For the Lakers, giant center Shaquille O'Neal was at his dominant best with 34 points. Kobe Bryant picked up 25 points but Hollywood's favorite team was let down by poor performances from the supporting cast.

　　Detroit's intense and 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.

　　The Lakers bench was even worse, scoring a combined four points versus 19 points contributed by their Detroit counterparts. Los Angeles shot 39 percent from the field against 46 percent by Detroit.

　　Los Angeles 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 will again be in Los Angeles Tuesday.