Basketball is a game of runs. In today's NBA, you can see a 20-point lead wiped away in a matter of minutes, but we aren't talking about those comebacks today. Instead, we are highlighting the biggest point differential in NBA history. There are rare instances where one team will heat up and go on a run that is unstoppable. Certain moments where teams morph into one single unit and absolutely blow their opponent out, or the other team simply just goes cold. Sometimes those runs are fueled by one player who seemingly can't miss, like these players who broke NBA single game scoring records! Other times, it's a dynamic duo that leads the charge. Here are the five biggest margins of victory in NBA history.
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The Biggest Margin of Victory in NBA History: The Most Lopsided Games of All Time
(Photo by Zach Beeker/NBAE via Getty Images)
By: Justin Cohen
Published Jan 12, 2024
What's the biggest loss in NBA history?
Unfortunately for the Oklahoma City Thunder, they suffered the worst loss in NBA history after only putting up 79 points to the Memphis Grizzlies' 152. Then Thunder forward Jeremiah Robinson-Earl put up a not so impressive -56 in the +/- category after playing 24 minutes. Lu Dort was runner up for worst +/- this game with a -53 after 25 minutes of play. Notably, the Thunder suffered this defeat despite the Grizzlies best player, Ja Morant, being sidelined.
What's the biggest win in NBA history?
You guessed it, the biggest win in NBA history came in the same game as mentioned above, when the Memphis Grizzlies decimated the Oklahoma City Thunder 152 to 79. Jaren Jackson Jr. led all scorers for the Grizzlies, putting up a modest 27 points. Santi Aldama had the best +/- for the Grizzlies, finishing the game +52. The Grizzlies really put an emphasis on home court advantage in this game as their fans will likely never witness a win like this at home again.
1. 73 Point Margin
- Score: Memphis Grizzlies 152 - Oklahoma City Thunder 79
- Date: December 2nd, 2021
After the December 2nd matchup between the Grizzlies and Thunder in 2021, a record for the biggest margin of victory in NBA history was set. The Grizzlies blew out the Thunder by 73 points in a game that saw nine of the Grizzlies twelve players score in double digits. What makes it even crazier is the fact that Memphis superstar Ja Morant was sidelined for this game and did not play.
2. 68 Point Margin
- Score: Cleveland Cavaliers 148 - Miami Heat 80
- Date: December 17th, 1991
The game between the Cleveland Cavaliers and Miami Heat on December 17, 1991 started as a relatively close contest in the first quarter, with Cleveland leading 24-18 at the end of the period. However, things quickly got out of hand in the second quarter as the Cavaliers went on a dominant 75-29 run to take a commanding 99-47 lead at halftime. The second half was essentially a formality, as Cleveland cruised to a 148-80 victory.
3. 65 Point Margin
- Score: Indiana Pacers 124 - Portland Trail Blazers 59
- Date: February 27, 1998
The 1998 Indiana Pacers were a lethal team, posing Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls its most daunting opponent in the East. Earlier in the season on February 27th, the Pacers defeated the Trail Blazers by 65 points. This was a huge shock to the NBA world, as the Pacers only had 6 more wins than the Trail Blazers, making it a somewhat even matchup on paper. The Pacers finished with eight players scoring in double figures.
4. 63 Point Margin
- Score: Los Angeles Lakers 162 - Golden State Warriors 99
- Date: March 19th, 1972
On March 19, 1972, the Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Golden State Warriors 162-99. The Lakers were led by Hall of Fame center Wilt Chamberlain, who had a dominant performance against his former team. Chamberlain scored 22 points, pulled down 22 rebounds, and dished out 13 assists in just 29 minutes of play. He was joined in the scoring column by five other Lakers players who scored in double figures, including Gail Goodrich (26 points) and Jim McMillian (25 points). The victory was a statement win for the Lakers, who went on to win the NBA championship that season.
T-5. 62 Point Margin
- Score: Golden Sate Warriors 153 - Sacramento Kings 91
- Date: November 2nd, 1991
On November 2nd, 1991, the Golden State Warriors beat down the Sacramento Kings by a 62 point margin. Warriors legend Chris Mullin paved the way putting in 32 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists, and 4 steals. Five other Warriors players scored in double digits with Tyrone Hill, Victor Alexander, and Sarunas Marciulionis all scoring 20+ points.
T-5. 62 Point Margin
- Score: Oklahoma City Thunder 139 - Portland Trailblazers 77
- Date: January 11, 2024
On January 11, 2024 the Oklahoma City Thunder blasted the Portland Trailblazers by a score of 139-77, with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scoring 31 points and Josh Giddey boasting a triple double. On the Portland side, rookie guard Scoot Henderson put up a paltry -56 +/- on the night and made just 4-21 shots, illustrating just how bad it was.
“It was almost like a perfect storm, to be honest with you," Portland coach Chauncey Billups said. "Nothing really worked for us.”
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