Cavaliers @ Pistons Game 5: 1st Quarter Live Blog - FanHouse - AOL Sports Blog

Cavs @ Pistons | 1st Qtr | 2nd Qtr | 3rd Qtr | 4th Qtr/1st OT | 2nd OT

Well, Bill Simmons might not be excited about this series, but I am. Of course, I should probably announce my biases right now in case you're not already familiar -- I'm an unabashed Pistons fan (yes, we exist), so don't be surprised if you detect a rooting interest on my part.

Random thoughts while admiring LeBron's murse and waiting for the game to start:

-- The official line on tonight's game is Pistons by 5.5. The Big Lead predicted Cavs by four in his preview earlier today. Me? I'm going ... Pistons by 8. While this may very well be the game LeBron erupts, as TBL predicts, I'm guessing this will also be the game the Pistons revert to form.

-- Also, in case you missed it, Larry Hughes expects to play despite his foot injury, and Mike Brown said if Hughes plays, he will start. Apparently Brown had his eyes closed during Hughes' 16 minutes on the court in Game 4, because having a hobbling Hughes in the game gives Chauncey Billups a good chance to get warmed up early.

-- TNT just threw a graphic on the screen showing how even the numbers have been for both team during this season, including free throws. Is that a sign of LBJ not being aggressive or the refs not falling into the trap of favoring a superstar. I'm going with ... both.

-- As Craig Sager interviews Daniel Gibson, he brings up the fact that Gibson used to grow up idolizing Chauncey Billups. Considering Billups didn't even come into his own until arriving in Detroit five years ago when I was still in college ... I suddenly feel old. I bet Billups does, too.

And we're off! Ilgauskas drains a deuce to get the Cavs on the board first. Follow along the rest of the action after the jump (and be sure to refresh often).

-- Chauncey for three! It wasn't a pretty set up, but it's nice to see Chauncey get going from long-distance early.

-- +1 for Q Dog in the comments for catching this: "The best graphic title/Seinfeld reference was on TNT's pre-game points statistics for Daniel "Boobie" Gibson. The heading: 'He's real and he's spectacular.' "

-- So much for Larry Hughes being a liability -- he just hit his second three-pointer. 10-7 Cleveland.

-- Chris Webber is alive! Take that, YAY. He's already got two buckets (with an "and 1" when we return from commercial) and barely missed a third when he mistimed a tip-in attempt.

-- You know what's different so far? Ball movement. That goes a long, long way toward making the game enjoyable to watch.

-- Anderson Varejao enters the game. Would it have been bush league for the Pistons to play YMCA during his entrance?

-- Flip Saunders counters the debut of Varejao by putting in Jason Maxiell. Smart move -- those two guys usually have as much energy as the other eight guys on the court combined.

-- Tayshaun Prince collects a rebound and wisely looks for the outlet pass up court to a streaking Rip Hamilton, who nails the fast break. Why don't the Pistons do that more often? Why doesn't every team do it more often?

-- LBJ hits a buzzer beater with one hand ... but it's waved off. I thought he got it off in time, but the replay shows the refs were right. For as much grief as the officials catch, they have a tough job, and they usually do it well.

-- Lindsey Hunter ... I love him, but man, only he can airball a fastbreak. Turnover Detroit.

-- Scrum! Scrum! Scrum! Antonio McDyess throws down Varejao which incites LeBron to come charging over, but Maxiell holds him back. Wisely, Cleveland's bench stays put. Somewhere, Amare Stoudemire and Boris Diaw are quietly swearing under their breath.

-- Flagrant 2 on McDyess?! He's ejected. That's harsh -- very harsh. The TNT guys agree. LeBron earned a T, which Rip converted, and Varejao split his free throws.

-- LBJ comes back with an airball from three-point land, Rip gives it back by traveling. End of quarter. Go directly to 2nd quarter, do not pass Go.