NBA: Top 20 Most Points Scored in a Basketball Game (Team)
The Two Highest Team Scores in NBA History Occurred in the Same Game
On December 13, 1983, the Detroit Pistons and Denver Nuggets played in the highest scoring game in NBA history (box score). The Pistons beat the Nuggets 186-184 in three overtimes.
The Nuggets have suffered more of the biggest beat downs than any other team. They make today’s list (as recipient) five times, including three from the 1990-91 season alone.
These are the top 20 teams that have scored the most points in a game.
Another two teams from the same game make the rankings: In 1982, the San Antonio Spurs beat the Milwaukee Bucks 171-166. That’s the second highest scoring game in NBA history.
The Boston Celtics and Phoenix Suns hold the record for most points scored in four quarters (no overtime): 173.
Follow @VinGetz| PTS | TEAM | DATE | OPPONENT | OPP PTS | OT | |
| 1. | 186 | Detroit Pistons | Dec. 13, 1983 | Denver Nuggets | 184 | 3OT |
| 2. | 184 | Denver Nuggets* | Dec. 13, 1983 | Detroit Pistons | 186 | 3OT |
| 3. | 173 | Boston Celtics | Feb. 27, 1959 | Minneapolis Lakers | 139 | |
| 3. | 173 | Phoenix Suns | Nov. 10, 1990 | Denver Nuggets | 143 | |
| 5. | 171 | San Antonio Spurs | Mar. 6, 1982 | Milwaukee Bucks | 166 | 3OT |
| 6. | 169 | Philadelphia Warriors | Mar. 2, 1962 | New York Knicks | 147 | |
| 7. | 168 | Denver Nuggets | Mar. 16, 2008 | Seattle SuperSonics | 116 | |
| 8. | 166 | Milwaukee Bucks* | Mar. 6, 1982 | San Antonio Spurs | 171 | 3OT |
| 9. | 165 | Cincinnati Royals | Mar. 12, 1970 | San Diego Rockets | 151 | |
| 10. | 163 | Syracuse Nationals | Mar. 10, 1963 | San Francisco Warriors | 148 | |
| 10. | 163 | San Antonio Spurs | Nov. 8, 1978 | San Diego Clippers | 125 | |
| 10. | 163 | Denver Nuggets | Jan. 11, 1984 | San Antonio Spurs | 155 | |
| 13. | 162 | Syracuse Nationals | Dec. 25, 1960 | New York Knicks | 100 | |
| 13. | 162 | Syracuse Nationals | Feb. 8, 1963 | Detroit Pistons | 135 | |
| 13. | 162 | Los Angeles Lakers | Mar. 19, 1972 | Golden State Warriors | 99 | |
| 13. | 162 | Denver Nuggets | Feb. 13, 1981 | Portland Trail Blazers | 143 | |
| 13. | 162 | Golden State Warriors | Nov. 2, 1990 | Denver Nuggets | 158 | |
| 18. | 161 | San Antonio Spurs | Nov. 7, 1990 | Denver Nuggets | 153 | |
| 18. | 161 | Washington Bullets | Dec. 12, 1990 | Denver Nuggets | 133 | |
| 18. | 161 | Phoenix Suns | Dec. 7, 2006 | New Jersey Nets | 157 | 2OT |
* = Lost Game
Thanks to basketball-reference.com‘s play index. Here are the results of my query for this post.
Photo: nbcarena,com
Posted on December 15, 2012, in NBA and tagged Basketball, denver nuggets, detroit pistons, game, history, List, most, nba, points, scored, sports list of the day, team. Bookmark the permalink. Leave a Comment.
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