Mr. Big Shot arrived in the fourth.

Billups made his first three jumpers of the final period, leading the Detroit Pistons to an 87-71 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Thursday night in the first matchup between the clubs since last season's playoffs.

Anderson Varejao (L) of the Cleveland Cavaliers gets a hand in the face from Nazr Mohammed (R) of the Detroit Pistons while going for a rebound in the fourth quarter of their NBA game in Cleveland, Ohio December 21, 2006. [Reuters]

Billups, who was just 1-of-9 from the floor after three quarters, dropped three jumpers - two of them 3-pointers - in the first 3:02 of the fourth as the Pistons went on a 14-3 run to open a 71-58 lead with 8:19 left.

"That's Big Shot Billups at his best," LeBron James said. "Fourth quarter, time to take over."

Billups scored 17 points, including 12 in the fourth, and added 10 assists, including four of those the last 12 minutes against a Cavaliers team that was defenseless to stop him.

"They saw me missing shots early and let their guard down a little," he said. "That's when I attacked. That's how I play."

Tayshaun Prince had 16 points and Antonio McDyess added a season-high 11 points - all i the fourth - and 11 rebounds for the Pistons, who overwhelmed the Cavs in the final period, outscoring them 30-16 and holding them to 3-of-16 shooting.

James had 26 points and Zydrunas Ilgauskas 16 for the Cavaliers, who dropped to 11-3 at home.

In last season's second round, Cleveland won three straight over Detroit and had a chance to close out the Pistons in Game 6 but couldn't come up with an offensive rebound in the closing seconds. The Cavs then lost Game 7 in Auburn Hills, Mich., when the Pistons dominated the second half in a 79-61 win.