Remembering the worst NBA blowouts in recent memory
Last night's absolute demolition of the Lakers at the hands of their L.A. rival Clippers reminded us that sometimes even blowouts can be fun. Sure, everyone prefers a close, competitive, exciting contest between two quality NBA teams, but if you have to sit through a stinker, the least the winning team can do for your entertainment is go for the jugular and look to demoralize their opponent as much as possible.
After all, if the game is out of hand by the second quarter, no one cares about your standard 15-30 point blowout, but have one team go up by 40 or 50 and suddenly people are attracted to the scene. It's like the car wreck you can't drive by without rubbernecking for a while.
So with that, here are some of the worst most entertaining blowouts in recent memory...
Lakers 112, Cavaliers 57 - January 11, 2011
Not long ago, before Dwight Howard, before Father Time took Steve Nash and Kobe Bryant's Achilles from us, the Lakers were the toast of the NBA and the team often coming out on the right side of these mammoth beatdowns. In this game, the Lakers shot 53 percent from the field, 50 percent from three, had seven players score in double figures and handed the First-Year-Post-LeBron Cavs an 11th straight loss - a streak that would eventually grow to 26 losses in a row.
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Nuggets 121, Pelicans Hornets 63 - April 27, 2009
The only thing worse than getting blown out by 58 points? Getting blown out by 58 points at home, in the playoffs, in what would be the last home game of your season. Ouch.
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Pistons 118, Celtics 66 - January 31, 2003
The Pistons (29-15) and Celtics (26-19) came into this game separated by just 3.5 games for third place in the Eastern Conference, but Richard Hamilton (29 points), Chauncey Billups (24) and Corliss Williamson (13) combined to match Boston's total scoring output, so...
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Timberwolves 127, Bulls 74 - November 8, 2001
A Timberwolves team that featured a 25-year-old Kevin Garnett with Rasho Nesterovic, Wally Szczerbiak and Chauncey Billups went up against a team starting Ron Mercer, Marcus Fizer, Greg Anthony, Brad Miller and Charles Oakley in 2001...what the hell did you think was going to happen?
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Pacers 124, Trail Blazers 59 - February 27, 1998
The Pacers had one of the five best records in the league at the time at 38-17, but the Blazers were a 33-22 playoff team themselves, so how this turned into the second-most lopsided game of all time, we'll never know. Indiana shot 63.6 percent from the field and 60 percent from deep (9-of-15) while Portland shot 33 percent from the field, 17.6 percent from deep and 42 percent from the free throw line.
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Kings 139, Mavericks 81 - December 29, 1992
This 1992-93 Kings featured Mitch Richmond, Spud Webb and not much else en route to a 25-57 season. They were terrible, and yet they have a 58-point victory to their name because the 92-93 Mavs were the second-worst 82-game team ever, finishing 11-71 (they were 2-20 coming into this game). Seriously, look at this roster and try not to vomit.
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Cavaliers 148, Heat 80 - December 17, 1991
The 1991-92 season signified a major step forward for the Heat, as in their fourth year of existence, Miami made the playoffs for the first time at 38-44. They were also 11-11 coming into this game and had two days off since they had beaten a decent Hawks team by 20. And yet it's that Heat team that continues to hold the ugly distinction of worst loss of all time. After winning the first half by a 'measly' 20 points, Cleveland outscored Miami 75-27 in the second half, including 42-13 in the fourth quarter, with the game already obviously well in hand.
Now that is how you go for the jugular.