In their last crucial NBA playoff game, the Minnesota Timberwolves defeated the Denver Nuggets 115-70 at home. The victory turned the series to 3-3, and the two teams will enter a thrilling tie-break.
It's worth noting that the Nuggets' scoring performance in this game was well below their regular-season level. They averaged 114.9 points per game in the regular season, but only scored 70 points in this game, a difference of 44.9 points from the regular season score. Such a gap is the third-highest in NBA history.
The result also gave the Timberwolves a place in the playoff rankings where opponents are limited to points less than the regular season average. The specific rankings are as follows:
- In 1972, the Milwaukee Bucks defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 93-72 in Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals, and the Lakers averaged 121 points per game in the regular season, a gap of 49 points.
- In 1998, the Chicago Bulls defeated the Utah Jazz 96-54 in Game 3 of the Finals, with the Jazz averaging 101 points per game in the regular season with a 47-point deficit.
- In 2024, the Minnesota Timberwolves defeated the Denver Nuggets 115-70 in Game 6 of the series, with the Nuggets averaging 114.9 points per game in the regular season with a gap of 44.9 points.
- In 1971, the Milwaukee Bucks defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 91-73 in Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals, and the Lakers averaged 114.9 points per game in the regular season, with a margin of 41.8 points.
- In 1970, the New York Knicks defeated the Washington Wizards 101-80 in Game 5 of the first round, with the Wizards averaging 120.7 points per game in the regular season with a margin of 40.7.