The Biggest Blowout in NBA History to the Biggest Game 1 Victory Years Later 👀

The NBA is a league of legends, buzzer-beaters, dynasties, and unforgettable moments. But sometimes, the most jaw-dropping headlines don’t come from epic comebacks or game-winning shots—they come from the kind of blowouts that make fans rub their eyes in disbelief. One such moment came in 1991, when the Cleveland Cavaliers obliterated the Miami Heat by a score of 148–80, setting the record for the largest margin of victory in NBA history at 68 points. Fast forward decades later, and we saw another kind of historic beatdown—this time in the playoffs—when the Boston Celtics demolished the Indiana Pacers by 51 points in Game 1 of the 2024 first-round series, setting the record for the largest Game 1 win in playoff history.

Two different eras, two different contexts, but both games left fans and players stunned.

Let’s rewind to December 17, 1991. The Cavaliers were on a mission. Brad Daugherty, Mark Price, and Larry Nance led a team that had chemistry, confidence, and a clear sense of identity. Miami, on the other hand, was in just its fourth year as a franchise and still learning how to compete at the NBA level. What made the 68-point beatdown even more surreal was the fact that Cleveland didn’t even attempt a single three-pointer that night. It was all mid-range mastery, fast-break finishes, and straight-up domination in the paint. The Cavs shot a blistering 59.2% from the field while holding Miami to just 35.5%. That game wasn’t just a win—it was an evisceration.

Now contrast that with April 20, 2024, when the Boston Celtics, boasting a loaded roster with Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Jrue Holiday, and Kristaps Porziņģis, unleashed fury on the Indiana Pacers with a 133–82 victory. What made this blowout so special wasn’t just the margin—it was the timing. This was the playoffs, where games are supposed to be tighter, more intense, and full of strategic chess matches. Instead, Boston played like they were sending a message not just to Indiana but to the entire Eastern Conference.

The Celtics shot 55% from the floor, drained 20 threes, and held the Pacers to under 38% shooting. Their defense suffocated Indiana’s perimeter threats, while the offense moved with surgical precision. It felt less like a game and more like a statement: “We’re here to dominate.”

What makes these two games so fascinating when placed side-by-side is how they reflect the evolution of basketball. In 1991, the game was more physical, slower-paced, and dominated by big men. Fast forward to 2024, and it’s a three-point shooting, positionless, high-speed chess match. Yet the core of both blowouts remains the same: one team executing at a nearly perfect level, while the other simply can’t keep up.

These games also stand as reminders of the mental side of basketball. For Miami in ’91 and Indiana in ’24, the psychological toll of being on the wrong end of history is enormous. Conversely, for Cleveland and Boston, those wins built momentum and belief. Although Cleveland didn’t end up winning a title that season, their dominance in that game still echoes through history. The Celtics, meanwhile, looked like a juggernaut aiming for Banner 18.

In a league that thrives on parity and star power, blowouts like these are anomalies—but they’re unforgettable. From the biggest regular-season beatdown in ’91 to the biggest Game 1 playoff smackdown in 2024, the NBA continues to serve up moments that make fans say, “Did that really just happen?”

History doesn’t just remember the close games—it also remembers the nights when one team simply couldn’t miss and the other just wanted the clock to run out.