the Dallas Mavericks They were in danger of being overrun Boston Celtics Entering Game 4 of the 2024 NBA Finals on Friday. With their backs against the wall, the Mavericks pulled off one of the biggest hits in Finals history.
The Mavericks led by as many as 48 points in their 122-84 win over the Celtics at the American Airlines Center in Dallas. The 38-point margin represents the third-largest margin of victory in Finals history.
As the Mavericks look to become the first team in history to come back from a 3-0 deficit, many NBA fans may be wondering about another record no one wants to associate with their name: What is the biggest blowout in the NBA Finals? What is the fewest points scored in the NBA Finals? We’ve got you covered.
NBA Finals Game 4: Summary of the Celtics and Mavericks match, highlights
What is the biggest loss in NBA Finals history?
The biggest loss in NBA Finals history belongs to the Utah Jazz. Here are the six biggest losses* in the finals:
1. 1998 Finals, Game 3: Chicago Bulls 96, Utah Jazz 54
Margin of victory: 42 points
Karl Malone was the only Jazz player to score 10 points, recording 22 points and three rebounds. Utah’s second-leading scorer was Shandon Anderson, who scored eight points off the bench. The Jazz were held to nine points in the fourth quarter, the second-fewest points scored in a fourth quarter in Finals history. Meanwhile, Bulls star Michael Jordan scored 24 points and Toni Kukoc added 16 points.
2. 2008 Finals, Game 6: Boston Celtics 131, Los Angeles Lakers 92
Margin of victory: 39 points
Boston’s Kevin Garnett (26), Rajon Rondo (21) and Ray Allen (26) combined for 73 points in their series win. The Celtics outperformed the Lakers 34-15 in the second quarter, and the Lakers were unable to recover despite superstar Kobe Bryant scoring 22 points. The Lakers’ 38 turnovers didn’t help either and led to 32 points for Boston.
3. 2024 Finals, Game 4: Dallas Mavericks 122, Boston Celtics 84
Margin of victory: 38 points
Dallas used a 40-14 run during the first and second quarters to take a 50-25 lead. The team led 61-35 at halftime and then extended its advantage to 88-52 with 3:18 remaining in the third quarter. Mavs star Luka Doncic rebounded from a sub-par 3 game and slammed his game, scoring 29 points (25 in the first half), dishing out five assists, collecting five rebounds and recording three steals. Kyrie Irving added 21 points and six assists.
4. 2013 Finals, Game 3: San Antonio Spurs 113, Miami Heat 77
Margin of victory: 36 points
Everything went from deep in Tottenham’s favor in this match. They made 50% of their three-pointers (16-for-32), including seven from Danny Green and six from Gary Neal off the bench. A six-point game at the end of the first half turned into a laugh as the Spurs outscored the Heat 63-33 in the second half.
5. 1978 Finals, Game 6: Washington Bullets 117, Seattle SuperSonics 82
Margin of victory: 35 points
Seven Bullets scored in double figures, led by Elvin Hayes’ 21 points, 15 rebounds, five blocks and 19 points each from Bob Dandridge and Mitch Kupchak. Washington outscored Seattle 70-47 in the second half.
T-6. 1985 Finals, Game 1: Boston Celtics 148, Los Angeles Lakers 114
Margin of victory: 34 points
Known as the Memorial Day Massacre, the Celtics defeated the Lakers. Kevin McHale scored 26 points, all five Celtics starters scored in double figures (Larry Bird had 19 points, nine assists, six rebounds and three steals), and Scott Weidman scored 26 points off the bench. The 148 points remains a record for most games in the Finals.
T-6. 1961 Finals, Game 1: Boston Celtics 129, St. Louis Hawks 95
Margin of victory: 34 points
Tom Heinsohn scored 26 points and grabbed 11 rebounds, and Bill Russell added 15 points and grabbed 31 rebounds. This was the third of eight consecutive championships for the Celtics.
What is the fewest points scored in the NBA Finals?
- June 7, 1998: Jazz 54, Bulls 98
- June 18, 1999: Knicks 67, Spurs 80
- June 15, 2010: Celtics 67, Lakers 89
- June 10, 2004: Lakers 68, Pistons 88
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