Current:Home > NewsBiggest NBA Finals blowouts: Where Mavericks' Game 4 demolition of Celtics ranks-LoTradeCoin
Biggest NBA Finals blowouts: Where Mavericks' Game 4 demolition of Celtics ranks
View Date:2024-12-23 17:02:32
The Dallas Mavericks were at risk of being swept by the Boston Celtics entering Game 4 of the 2024 NBA Finals on Friday. With their backs against the wall, the Mavericks delivered one of the biggest beatdowns 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 differential marked 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 that no one wants attached to their name: What's the biggest NBA Finals blowout? What’s the fewest points scored in the NBA Finals? We got you covered.
NBA FINALS GAME 4: Celtics vs. Mavericks recap, highlights
What is the biggest loss in NBA Finals history?
The biggest loss in NBA Finals history belongs to the Utah Jazz. Here's the six* biggest Finals losses:
1. 1998 Finals, Game 3: Chicago Bulls 96, Utah Jazz 54
Margin of victory: 42 points
Karl Malone was the only Jazz player in double digits, recording 22 points and three rebounds. The next highest scorer for Utah was Shandon Anderson, who scored eight points off the bench. The Jazz were held to nine fourth-quarter points, the second-fewest points scored in the fourth quarter in Finals history. Meanwhile, Bulls superstar Michael Jordan had 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 starters Kevin Garnett (26), Rajon Rondo (21) and Ray Allen (26) combined for 73 points in their series-clinching win. The Celtics outscored the Lakers 34-15 in the second quarter and the Lakers were not able to recover, despite 22 points from superstar Kobe Bryant. The Lakers' 38 turnovers also didn't help and led to 32 Boston points.
3. 2024 Finals, Game 4: Dallas Mavericks 122, Boston Celtics 84
Margin of victory: 38 points
Dallas used a 40-14 run over the first and second quarters for a 50-25 lead. It took a 61-35 lead into halftime and then extended its advantage to 88-52 with 3:18 left in the third quarter. Mavs star Luka Doncic rebounded from a substandard Game 3 and pointed criticism of his game, scoring 29 points (25 in the first half), delivering five assists, collecting five rebounds and registering 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 in from deep for the Spurs in this one. They hit 50% of their 3-pointers (16-for-32) with seven coming from Danny Green and six from Gary Neal off the bench. A six-point game at halftime turned into a laugher 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 and 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 trounced the Lakers. Kevin McHale had 26 points, all five Celtics starters scored in double figures (Larry Bird had 19 points, nine assists, six rebounds, three steals), and Scott Wedman had 26 points off the bench. The 148 points remains a record for most in a Finals game.
T-6. 1961 Finals, Game 1: Boston Celtics 129, St. Louis Hawks 95
Margin of victory: 34 points
Tom Heinsohn had 26 points and 11 rebounds, Bill Russell had 15 points and 31 rebounds. It was the third of eight consecutive Celtics championships.
What's 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
veryGood! (11)
Related
- Pie, meet donuts: Krispy Kreme releases Thanksgiving pie flavor ahead of holidays
- Snow closes schools and highways in northern China for the second time this week
- Snow closes schools and highways in northern China for the second time this week
- Indian police arrest 4 intruders for breaching security in the Parliament complex
- Caitlin Clark shanks tee shot, nearly hits fans at LPGA's The Annika pro-am
- Delta passengers stranded at remote military base after flight diverted to Canada
- Semi-trailer driver dies after rig crashes into 2 others at Indiana toll plaza
- A Florida woman, a 10-year-old boy and a mother of 2 are among Tennessee tornado victims
- Tampa Bay Rays' Wander Franco arrested again in Dominican Republic, according to reports
- New Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk is sworn in with his government
Ranking
- NFL Week 10 injury report: Live updates on active, inactive players for Sunday's games
- AT&T Stadium employee accused of letting ticketless fans into Cowboys-Eagles game for cash
- Why George Clooney Is at a Tactical Disadvantage With His and Amal Clooney's Kids
- Bank of Japan survey shows manufacturers optimistic about economy, as inflation abates
- Why Game of Thrones' Maisie Williams May Be Rejoining the George R.R. Martin Universe
- USWNT received greatest amount of online abuse during 2023 World Cup, per FIFA report
- Pew survey: YouTube tops teens’ social-media diet, with roughly a sixth using it almost constantly
- In Giuliani defamation trial, election worker testifies, I'm most scared of my son finding me or my mom hanging in front of our house
Recommendation
-
Kansas basketball vs Michigan State live score updates, highlights, how to watch Champions Classic
-
Sports Illustrated publisher Arena Group fires CEO following AI controversy
-
$2 trillion worth of counterfeit products are sold each year. Can AI help put a stop to it?
-
Caitlin Clark signs NIL with Gatorade. How does Iowa star stack up to other star athletes?
-
Patrick Mahomes Breaks Silence on Frustrating Robbery Amid Ongoing Investigation
-
College football underclassmen who intend to enter 2024 NFL draft
-
Missiles from rebel territory in Yemen miss a ship near the key Bab el-Mandeb Strait
-
Russian man who flew on Los Angeles flight without passport or ticket charged with federal crime