In the NBA Finals, the league’s top two teams display basketball at its highest level. Still, off nights happen from time to time.
When teams are mere wins away from basketball immortality, the moment can get the best of them, resulting in a lopsided decision. While it hasn’t happened often, a few games in the Finals have had historically ugly outcomes.
What is the biggest blowout in the history of the NBA Finals? While a handful of teams have been run out of the gym, one blowout from 1998 stands out among the rest.
Here is a list of the most lopsided games in NBA Finals history.
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Biggest blowouts in NBA Finals history
The largest margin of victory in an NBA Finals game is 42. In Game 3 of the 1998 NBA Finals, Michael Jordan and the Bulls put forth a historically dominant display, holding the Jazz to 54 points. Chicago would win the series in six games.
There have only been 17 NBA Finals games decided by 30-plus points. Here are the five biggest blowouts.
| Rank | Year | Game | Point Margin |
| 1. | 1998 | Bulls 96, Jazz 54 | 42 |
| 2. | 2008 | Celtics 131, Lakers 92 | 39 |
| 3. | 2013 | Spurs 113, Heat 77 | 36 |
| 4. | 1978 | Bullets 117, SuperSonics 82 | 35 |
| 5. | 1985 | Celtics 148, Lakers 114 | 34 |
| 1961 | Celtics 129, Hawks 95 | 34 |
Utah’s loss is interesting in that it led for the majority of the first quarter before Chicago dominated the final 38 minutes of game time. The Jazz were held to just 23 points in the second half and shot 30.0 percent from the field for the game.
The box score is something to behold.
MORE: A look back into the biggest blowout in NBA Finals history
Bulls vs. Jazz stats: 1998 NBA Finals Game 3
1998 NBA Finals Game 3 score
| 1Q | 2Q | 3Q | 4Q | Final | |
| Bulls | 17 | 32 | 23 | 24 | 96 |
| Jazz | 14 | 17 | 14 | 9 | 54 |
1998 NBA Finals game 3 stats
| Bulls | Jazz | |
| Points | 96 | 54 |
| Field goals | 37-76 (48.7%) | 21-70 (30.0%) |
| 3-point field goals | 4-11 (36.4%) | 1-11 (11.1%) |
| Free throws | 18-26 (69.2%) | 11-14 (78.6%) |
| Rebounds | 50 | 38 |
| Assists | 25 | 16 |
| Turnovers | 26 | 17 |
Jordan led all scorers with 24 points, and Toni Kukoc chipped in 16. Add 10 points apiece from Scottie Pippen and Scott Burell, and the quartet outscored the Jazz.
Karl Malone was Utah’s only double-figure scorer with 22 points on 8-for-11 shooting. Outside of Malone, the Jazz shot 13 of 59 (22.0 percent) from the field.