NBA’s Highest-Scoring Game Went 3 Overtimes

It was a common headline the morning after, describing the highest-scoring game in NBA history.

“The Defense Rests”

And it did, 16 years ago today, when the score was Detroit 186, Denver 184, in triple overtime.

The contest, still the NBA’s highest-scoring game, lasted as long as a baseball game--3 hours 11 minutes.

It was run-and-gun, highlight-film offensive basketball.

The Nuggets, playing at home, led, 145-143, with six seconds left and Detroit’s Bill Laimbeer at the free-throw line.

Laimbeer missed the first of two shots, then a timeout was called. In the huddle, Laimbeer and Isiah Thomas set up a play. Laimbeer deliberately missed the second shot and Thomas caught the carom and scored on a driving layup.

Denver also had a 157-152 lead in the first overtime, but Detroit’s Kelly Tripucka sank a 16-foot shot for a 159-159 tie at the end of the period. In the second overtime, the Nuggets’ Bill Hanzlik helped push it to a third extra period by sinking two free throws with 17 seconds left for a 171-171 tie.

In the third overtime, Thomas gave Detroit a lead the Pistons never relinquished with two free throws late in the period.

Thomas finished with 47 points and John Long added 41. Denver’s Kiki Vandeweghe had 51 and Alex English 47.

After acknowledging he would have enjoyed it more had his team won, Denver Coach Doug Moe said: “It was a great game. I really got into watching it. There were so many outstanding plays, it was worth it.”

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Also on this date: In 1956, the Jackie Robinson era ended in Brooklyn. After 10 seasons with the Dodgers, the club traded him to the New York Giants for pitcher Dick Littlefield and $30,000. Robinson retired, however, voiding the deal. . . . In 1954, the Brooklyn Dodgers announced they signed an 18-year-old University of Cincinnati left-handed pitcher named Sandy Koufax for a $20,000 bonus. As a Cincinnati freshman, Koufax struck out 51 hitters in 32 innings.