The Dallas Mavericks were on the brink of being swept by the Boston Celtics in Game 4 of the 2024 NBA Finals on Friday, and with their backs to the wall, the Mavericks suffered one of the biggest losses in Finals history.
The Mavericks blew a 48-point lead en route to a 122-84 victory over the Celtics at the American Airlines Center in Dallas. The 38-point margin of victory was the third-largest in Finals history.
As the Mavericks try 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 team wants to have named after them. What is the biggest margin of victory in the NBA Finals? What is the fewest points scored in the NBA Finals? We have the answers.
NBA Finals Game 4: Celtics vs Mavericks recap and highlights
What is the biggest loss in NBA Finals history?
The biggest loss in NBA Finals history is to the Utah Jazz. Below are 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 to score in double figures, with 22 points and three rebounds. Utah's next leading scorer was Shandon Anderson, who had eight points off the bench. The Jazz were held to nine points in the fourth quarter, the second-fewest fourth-quarter points in Finals history. Meanwhile, Bulls superstar 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 starters Kevin Garnett (26), Rajon Rondo (21) and Ray Allen (26) combined for 73 points in the series-clinching victory. The Celtics outshot the Lakers 34-15 in the second quarter, and despite superstar Kobe Bryant scoring 22 points, the Lakers couldn't rally. The Lakers' 38 turnovers didn't help either, leading to Boston's 32 points.
3. 2024 Finals Game 4: Dallas Mavericks 122, Boston Celtics 84
Margin of victory: 38 points
Dallas used a 40-14 run after the first and second quarters to lead 50-25. They led 61-35 by halftime and 88-52 with 3:18 left in the third quarter. Mavs star Luka Doncic bounced back from a poor Game 3 performance and brushed off criticism, finishing with 29 points (25 in the first half), five assists, five rebounds and 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
The Spurs made everything from long distance in this game. They made 50% (16 of 32) three-pointers, with 7 from Danny Green and 6 from bench player Gary Neal. A game that was down by 6 points at halftime turned into a laughing matter 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 Bob Dandridge and Mitch Kupchak each adding 19 points. Washington outshot 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
In a game known as the Memorial Day Massacre, the Celtics dominated the Lakers. Kevin McHale scored 26 points, all five Celtics starters scored in double figures (Larry Bird had 19 points, 9 assists, 6 rebounds and 3 steals), and Scott Wedman added 26 points off the bench. His 148 points remain the most points scored 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, and Bill Russell had 15 points and 31 rebounds. The Celtics won their eighth straight championship and third.
What's the fewest points scored in an 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
