Scoring points is the ultimate objective of a basketball game, the factor that decides a win or a defeat. In the NBA, teams give it their all to outscore their rivals to advance through to the next round. However, during the playoffs, when the stakes are higher, teams demonstrate team work and sheer determination in offense to put unreal points on the scoreboard.
List of Teams with the Most Points Scored in NBA Playoffs
Find out the highest scoring playoff game NBA and the teams that have recorded the most points in n single game.
1. Boston Celtics – 157 Points Vs New York Knicks
- Result: Boston Celtics 157-128 New York Knicks
- Date: April 28, 1990
- Venue: Madison Square Garden
The Boston Celtics, the most successful team in history, set the record for scoring the most points by a team in the NBA. In the first playoff series Game 2, the Celtics extended their lead 2-0 over the Knicks following a record-breaking 157-128 triumph in 1990. However, after two early successes, the New York team orchestrated a comeback to knock the Celtics out of the Playoffs with a 3-2 series win.
2. Milwaukee Bucks – 156 Points Vs Philadelphia 76ers
- Result: Milwaukee Bucks 156-120 Philadelphia 76ers
- Date: 30 March 1970
- Venue: The Spectrum Arena
The second-highest NBA playoff team scoring record was set in the 1969-70 season, when the Milwaukee Bucks played the Philadelphia 76ers in Pennsylvania. This was the very first time that, Bucks were fighting in the playoffs. Hall of Famer, Lew Alcindor (Later adopted Arabic name Kareem Abdul-Jabbar) as a Rookie, starred in the match with a rocking 33-point performance. He was backed by fellow Bucks icons such as Jon McGlocklin, Flynn Robinson, and Greg Smith. Following five clashes, the Bucks won the series 4-1 over the 76ers to secure their spot in the next phase.
3. Los Angeles Clippers – 154 Points Vs Dallas Mavericks
- Result: Los Angeles Clippers 154-111 Dallas Mavericks
- Date: 30 August 2020
- Venue: AdventHealth Arena
The 2019-20 NBA finals were held closed doors in Florida, in the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak. In the Western Conference first round, the LA Clippers edged past the Mavericks 154-111, ensuring a 3-2 lead in the series. Forward Kawhi Leonard and Guard Paul George ran the show for the Clippers in racking up a 154-point tally. Luka Doncic stood bravely, matching the intensity, which helped the Mavs achieve a respectable 111 points response, scoring 38 points individually. The Clippers qualified for the second round following a 4-2 series win over Dallas.
4. Portland Trail Blazers – 153 Points Vs Phoenix Suns
- Result: Portland Trail Blazers 153-151 Phoenix Suns
- Date: May 11, 1992
- Venue: US Airways Center
The highest scoring playoff game in NBA history, the Trail Blazers and Suns combined to score a staggering 304 points in the Western Conference semifinals. In terms of the most points by a team in an NBA playoff game, Portland registered a narrow 153-151 victory over the Phoenix Suns to stretch their advantage to 3-1 in the series. The game went through two overtimes with both sides evenly matched while pushing each other to the limit. Clyde Drexler bagged the highest 33 points for the Trail Blazers. For the Suns, Kevin Johnson scored 35 points and 14 assists, to keep his team in contention.
5. Los Angeles Lakers – 153 Points Vs Denver Nuggets
- Result: Los Angeles Lakers 153-109 Denver Nuggets
- Date: May 22, 1985
- Venue: Kia Forum (The Forum)
The 1984-85 season brought the LA Lakers their fourth NBA Championship following their relocation from Minneapolis to Los Angeles. In the 1985 Western Conference finals, the Lakers handed 153-109 upset to Nuggets accumulating a 4-1 series triumph. The Lakers’ side is equipped with legendary names like Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Magic Johnson, and James Worthy. The all-time highest assist maker in the playoffs, Johnson, amassed 19 assists in the game, while steering the Lakers to produce one of the highest scoring playoff games NBA
A Journalism and Media Studies graduate and a passionate sports writer, he turned his love for sports into a fulfilling career. His admiration for the Golden State Warriors grew, inspired by Stephen Curry’s exceptional shooting.
