Cavaliers Set NBA Record, Beating Heat by 68 Points

The Cleveland Cavaliers set an NBA record Tuesday night for largest margin of victory when they routed the Miami Heat, 148-80.

The 68-point margin eclipsed the mark of 63 set March 19, 1972, when the Lakers beat the Golden State Warriors, 162-99. Earlier this season, Golden State fell one point short of the record, beating Sacramento, 153-91.

“It’s good to keep the pressure on them when you’re up,” Cleveland’s John Battle said. “But we know it’s not going to happen like this every night. I hope all the guys realize that.”

Said Miami’s Glen Rice: “I don’t know what we played, but it wasn’t basketball.”

Four Cavaliers were in double figures by halftime and eight of them finished with at least 10 points, though no player scored 20. Mark Price and Battle led the way with 18 points each.

Cleveland outscored the Heat, 75-27, in the second half, including 42-13 in the final quarter.

The Cavaliers had no idea they were setting a record.

“Walking off the court, it really surprised me when they announced it,” Cavalier Danny Ferry said.

The Cavaliers had lost to the Heat by two points at Miami last week.

Biggest Victories

Largest margins of victory in NBA history.

Mg Score Date 68 Cleveland 148, Miami 80 Dec. 17, 1991 63 Lakers 162, Golden St. 99 Mar. 19, 1972 62 Golden St. 153, Sacramento 91 Nov. 2, 1991 62 Syracuse 162, New York 100 Dec. 25, 1960 59 Milwaukee 143, Detroit 84 Dec. 26, 1978 59 Golden State 150, Indiana 91 Mar. 19, 1977 56 Seattle 136, Houston 80 Dec. 6, 1986 56 Milwaukee 158, New Orleans 102 Mar. 14, 1979 56 Chicago 130, Portland 74 Feb. 20, 1976 56 Lakers 144, Detroit 88 Nov. 12, 1966