If the series reaches Game 7, that means it’s been a heated battle throughout. Usually, fans expect a thrilling showdown between the two to decide who will ultimately win the series.
However, Games 7 doesn’t always live up to the hype. Sometimes, teams simply muster an overwhelming effort to stuff comparable opponents in a disrespectful manner.
Explosions in Game 7 are still rare. According to Stathead, there have been 149 Game 7s in NBA history. Only 58 games were decided by a difference of 10 points or more. Still, there are still a few matches that led to serious keister kicks.
What’s the biggest explosion in NBA Game 7 history? Here’s what you need to know.
More: Update on OG Anunoby’s Game 7 injury
Biggest Game 7 loss in NBA playoff history
There were only a handful of Game 7s that were truly one-sided, and in seven of those games, the winning team advanced by a margin of 30 points or more.
Here are the 11 biggest explosions in NBA Game 7 history, according to Stathead.
Team Opponent Date Score Margin Mavericks Rockets May 7, 2005 116-7640 Warriors Bombers April 6, 194885-4639 Lakers Suns April 9, 1970129-9435 Celtics Hawks May 4, 2006 899-6534 Mavericks Suns May 15, 2022 123-9033 Heat Hornets May 1, 2016 106-7333 Suns Lakers May 6, 2006 121-9031 Bulls Knicks May 17, 1992 110-8129 Celtics Bucks May 2022 15th 109-8128 Raptors Heat May 15, 2016 116-8927 Pacers Celtics May 7, 2005 597-7027
Mavericks 116, Rockets 76
The Texas teams fought a close series, with only one game in Game 6 leading by more than 12 points. Games 2 through 5 were all decided by a difference of 2 points for him to 4 points for him in each matchup.
However, the Mavericks defeated the Rockets with Jason Terry’s 31 points and four Dallas starting pitchers scoring in double figures. Meanwhile, only Yao Ming (33) and Tracy McGrady (27) scored more than seven points for Houston.
This game is the only game to date in which Game 7 was decided by a margin of 40 points or more.
Warriors 85, Bombers 46
This showdown dates back to the BAA semifinals, when the Philadelphia Warriors faced the St. Louis Bombers. There were two other blowout wins in this series, with the Warriors winning Game 3 (86-54) and Game 6 (84-61), respectively, but all other matchups were scored in single digits. It was decided.
And then Game 7 happened.
John Logan had 18 points and Bellas Smalley had 12 points for the Bombers, but no other St. Louis player scored more than four points. Meanwhile, every player scored at least four points, with Joe Foulkes (15 points), Chick Hulbert (14 points), Howie Dalmer (12 points), Chincrosin (11 points), and George Seneski (10 points) each. He scored double digits.
Lakers 129, Suns 94
Each game in the series was one-sided, with each team taking turns. The Lakers won Game 1 by 16 points, and the Suns won each of the next three games by at least 10 points. The Lakers then defeated the Suns by 17 points in Game 5 and 11 points in Game 6.
Los Angeles completed a spectacular 3-1 comeback. Wilt Chamberlain had 30 points and 27 rebounds, and Elgin Baylor had 25 points and 14 rebounds to lead the Lakers to a 35-point victory. Meanwhile, Suns’ Connie Hawkins had 25 points and 15 rebounds.
