The Biggest NBA Point-Spread Upset Since 1995: Trail Blazers Win Over Timberwolves
Photo by David Berding/Getty Images. Pictured: Shaedon Sharpe.
The Minnesota Timberwolves have found themselves on the wrong side of history.
The Portland Trail Blazers upended the Timberwolves on Sunday, April 2, despite entering the game as 19.5-point underdogs and playing without the likes of Damian Lillard, Anfernee Simons, Jusuf Nurkic and many more.
According to Action Network director of research, Evan Abrams, +19.5 is the biggest upset in the NBA in 30 years. He also notes NBA teams were 0-51 straight up as underdogs of at least 18 points.
Rookie Shaedon Sharpe led the way for Portland, dropping 27 points to help his squad top Anthony Edwards (37 points), Karl-Anthony Towns and the Wolves.
Using data from our Bet Labs database and Killer Sports, we've compiled the 25 biggest point spread upsets in the NBA since at least 1995, our first year of having reliable data.
Biggest NBA Upsets Since 1995
Year | Teams (Winner in Bold) | Spread |
---|---|---|
2023 | Trail Blazers-Timberwolves | +19.5 |
2020 | Nets-Bucks | +18.5 |
1997 | Nuggets-Wizards | +17 |
2022 | Pistons-Bucks | +17 |
2015 | Lakers-Warriors | +17 |
2016 | Celtics-Cavaliers | +16.5 |
2008 | Warriors-Jazz | +16 |
2018 | Suns-Warriors | +16 |
2001 | Nuggets-Lakers | +15.5 |
2002 | Nuggets-Trailblazers | +15.5 |
2003 | Hawks-Mavericks | +15.5 |
2012 | Suns-Spurs | +15.5 |
2015 | Timberwolves-Warriors | +15.5 |
1995 | Grizzlies-Trailblazers | +15 |
1995 | Timberwolves-Jazz | +15 |
2001 | Bulls-Lakers | +15 |
2001 | Nuggets-Timberwolves | +15 |
2004 | Hawks-Pistons | +15 |
2009 | Kings-Jazz | +15 |
2011 | Wizards-Trailblazers | +15 |
2019 | Warriors-Nuggets | +15 |
1997 | Mavericks-Supersonics | +14.5 |
2000 | Grizzlies-Trailblazers | +14.5 |
2001 | Cavaliers-Timberwolves | +14.5 |
2010 | Raptors-Thunder | +14.5 |
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